Literary Archive
The Letterenhuis has existed since 1933 and is the literary archive of Flanders. The collection consists of archival materials relating to historical and contemporary literary creation, the book business and related fields and arts. The Letterenhuis collects, preserves and provides access to the paper and digital manuscripts, letters, documents, portraits and photographs of all "literary creators" in Flanders: writers, poets, essayists, slammers, rappers, singers, magazines, theater and stage companies and creators, associations, literary companies and institutions, book illustrators. Cultural posters are also part of the collection area. The starting point of the collection is around 1780.
The literary memory of Flanders
As the "literary memory of Flanders," the Letterenhuis preserves over two million letters and manuscripts (more and more of which are digital), 150,000 photographs and 65,000 posters. The correspondences, manuscripts and documentation form the source material for research, text edition, biography and literary history and is also increasingly used as the basis and inspiration for other literary and cultural creations. The database provides an online overview of the collection, with many collection items accessible online. Documents can be accessed and consulted in the reading room.
Archives of and for Flanders
Since January 2004, the Letterenhuis has been recognized by the Flemish government as the literary archive of and for Flanders. This recognition means important support and makes it possible for the Letterenhuis to further develop, strengthen and optimize its archival function. The collection is preserved in optimal conditions and made accessible according to international standards for study by researchers. The Letterenhuis deploys its own expertise for the entire literary heritage field.
Subsidizing Government
The Flemish Government gives annual structural subsidies to the Letterenhuis. Without this support, the Letterenhuis would not be able to function.
