5x literature and series on Pim Fortuyn

Twenty years ago this Friday, Pim Fortuyn was murdered; a politician who fundamentally shifted Dutch politics.

Tomorrow marks 20 years since that Pim Fortuyn was murdered; a politician who caused a landslide in Dutch politics. Many books and even a series were produced about the flamboyant politician. MASTERS highlights a number of them. Text: Fleur de Jong
Image: AVROTROS

1. The Year of Fortuyn 

The drama series The year of Fortuyn shows the events between the spring of 2001 and 2002. The political establishment is startled by the stormy rise of the flamboyant newcomer Pim Fortuyn, played by Jeroen Spitzenberger. PvdA party leader Ad Melkert is the main contender in the battle for the Tower and sees how the political game is changing rapidly under the influence of the idiosyncratic populist Fortuyn. What follows is an election battle that is unprecedented. A story about new politics, the rise of populism, increasing polarization, a democracy under pressure, desire and of course Pim Fortuyn.

The Year of Fortuyn can be seen on AVROTROS on NPO 1 and NPO Plus.

2. Political testament 

For the first time since 2002, a new book by Pim Fortuyn was published last week. To reflect on the moment the politician was murdered 20 years ago Vesper Publishing Political testament out. The book contains three bestsellers by Pim Fortuyn in one deluxe edition; 'The orphan society', 'The ruins of eight years of Purple' and 'The Islamization of our culture'. The collection of the three books together express Fortuyn's ideas and thus form his intellectual legacy.

The 561-page book is here for sale.

3. The last day

This new book written by Paul van der Lugt, channel coordinator of 28, was published on April 2002 3FM. The last day is an impressive reconstruction of May 6, 2002. Paul van der Lugt, Ruud de Wild and its producer Merel van Dijk were there when shots suddenly rang out and Fortuyn collapsed. Claudia de Breij and Herman van der Zandt saw Fortuyn lying in the parking lot. Hans Smolders, Fortuyn's driver, didn't think twice and ran after the shooter. In this book, Paul van der Lugt describes minute by minute how those involved experienced that fateful day.

4. The battle for the Binnenhof 

Wouke van Scherrenburg, who was a political reporter for many years, takes the viewer into the lives of political leaders who have played a crucial role in history in this seven-part documentary series. In episode 7 of The Battle for the Binnenhof the life of Pim Fortuyn is examined. Other episodes delve into the lives of Jacoba van Beieren, Johan van Oldenbarnevelt, the De Witt brothers, Rutger Jan Schimmelpenninck, Johan Rudolph Thorbecke and Pieter Jelles Troelstra. 

The episode is here can be viewed on NPO Start.

5. Pim Fortuyn, the autobiography

This book was previously published under the titles Baby boomers, autobiography of a generatione in Autobiography of a Baby Boomer. This renewed edition contains a foreword by Fortuyn expert Leonard Ornstein. In this biography, Fortuyn describes in his own words how he grew up in a family that struggled with faith, while he himself struggled with his budding homosexuality. At university, Fortuyn grows into a public figure, after which he has a life in the spotlight. A candid life story of an outsider who conquers his place as a leader in the public domain thanks to an enormous drive for assertiveness. Also read: '5 impressive films about the Second World War'