dichter

Dichter is the Dutch noun for a poet, a person who writes poetry. In Dutch-language literature, a dichter may be a professional writer or an amateur who crafts verse. The term is used for poets from the Netherlands and the Flemish-speaking regions of Belgium, as well as Dutch-language communities elsewhere.

Etymology: The word dichter is formed from the verb dichten, meaning to compose poetry, with the agent suffix -er. The verb dichten also has other senses, such as to seal, but dichter refers specifically to poetry.

Role and forms: Dichters work in various poetic forms, including lyric poems, ballads, odes, and experimental verse. Dutch poetry has a long tradition dating to the Middle Ages and flourishing in the Dutch Golden Age, with historical poets such as Joost van den Vondel, P. C. Hooft, and Constantijn Huygens helping shape the national literature. In Flemish writing, poets such as Guido Gezelle are influential. In modern times, dichter is used to describe poets across the Netherlands and Flanders, who publish in books, magazines, and online media, and who participate in readings and poetry festivals.