Table of Contents
Who Was Theo Thijssen and Why Is He Still Important?
Theo Thijssen was a Dutch writer, primary school teacher, trade union leader and politician whose work remains central to Dutch literary and social history.
Where Was Theo Thijssen Born and Raised?
Theo Thijssen was born at Eerste Leliedwarsstraat 16 in Amsterdam, a densely populated working-class area in the late nineteenth century.
He lost his father at a young age and was raised by his mother, whose determination allowed him to remain in formal education despite financial hardship.
What Was Theo Thijssen’s Professional Background?
Theo Thijssen trained as a teacher and worked at several primary schools in Amsterdam.
His daily experience in the classroom shaped his views on childhood development, social inequality and the role of education in improving life chances.
When and Why Did Theo Thijssen Become Politically Active?
Theo Thijssen developed an early interest in socialist ideas and formally joined the Sociaal-Democratische Arbeiders Partij in 1912, when he was thirty-three years old.
His party membership reflected his commitment to education reform, labour rights and social equality.
Did Theo Thijssen Serve in the Dutch Parliament?
Theo Thijssen served two separate terms as a member of the Tweede Kamer.
He entered parliament in 1933 and served until 1937, then returned from 1939 until his death in 1943.
Alongside national politics, he was also active in Amsterdam municipal government and education organisations.
What is Kees de Jongen, and When Was It Published?
Kees de Jongen is Theo Thijssen’s best-known novel and the work that secured his place in the Dutch literary canon.
The book was first published in 1923 and has remained widely read ever since.
Who Is Kees Bakels in the Novel?
Kees Bakels is the fictional protagonist of Kees de Jongen.
He is the son of a shoemaker and grows up in a poor Amsterdam neighbourhood at the end of the nineteenth century.
The novel focuses mainly on his primary school years and his rich inner thoughts.
What Is the Central Theme of Kees de Jongen?
The novel explores ambition, imagination and the desire for recognition from the perspective of a child.
Kees dreams of becoming someone important and uses fantasy to escape the limits of his social position.
When his father dies, Kees is forced to leave school and work to support his mother.
How Does the Book Reflect Amsterdam Society at the Time?
Kees de Jongen is set during a period when education was increasingly viewed as a means for social advancement.
Working-class families began keeping children in school longer, hoping education could improve future prospects.
Thijssen captured both the hope and the limits of this shift.
How Much of the Novel Is Based on Theo Thijssen’s Own Life?
Theo Thijssen incorporated autobiographical elements into the novel.
Like Kees, he lost his father early, but unlike his character, he was able to remain in education.
His mother secured support that allowed him to continue schooling and later become a teacher.
How Did Theo Thijssen’s Life Differ From That of Kees Bakels?
While Kees’s story ends with interrupted education and limited prospects, Thijssen’s life followed a different course.
He became a respected teacher, a published writer, a trade union leader and a member of parliament.
His career illustrated the social possibilities education could offer.
What Is the Theo Thijssen Museum, and Where Is It Located?
The Theo Thijssen Museum is located at his birthplace on Eerste Leliedwarsstraat 16 in Amsterdam.
The museum presents his literary work, teaching career and political activity.
Address: Eerste Leliedwarsstraat 16, Amsterdam
Phone: 020 420 71 19
Why is Kees de Jongen part of the Canon of Amsterdam?
Kees de Jongen appears as window number thirty-two in the Canon of Amsterdam.
The window focuses on childhood, education and working-class life around 1890.
FAQ
Q. When was Theo Thijssen born, and when did he die?
Theo Thijssen was born on 16 June 1879 and died on 23 December 1943.
His life dates are recorded by the Literatuurmuseum 2023.
Q. Is Kees de Jongen based on Theo Thijssen’s own life?
The novel contains autobiographical elements, especially childhood experiences and education.
Literary historians describe it as semi-autobiographical according to DBNL 2023.
Q. Which political party did Theo Thijssen belong to?
Theo Thijssen was a member of the Sociaal-Democratische Arbeiders Partij.
The SDAP was the predecessor of the modern Labour Party, according to the International Institute of Social History 2022.
Q. Why is Kees de Jongen still read today?
The book remains relevant because it presents childhood thoughts and social ambition with unusual psychological depth.
The novel continues to appear in Dutch education reading lists according to the Dutch Literature Fund 2024.
How Amsterdam’s Literary Culture Has Been Recognised Internationally
In recognition of its vibrant book culture, Amsterdam was selected by UNESCO as the World Book Capital for the year 2008.
This designation is awarded annually to a city that demonstrates a strong commitment to books, reading and the promotion of literacy.
During its tenure as World Book Capital, Amsterdam hosted lectures, exhibitions, performances and community reading programmes designed to encourage engagement with literature and connect readers of all ages.
This international recognition aligns with the themes explored in Kees de Jongen and Thijssen’s broader contribution to Dutch literature and educational thought.
By celebrating both historic works and contemporary initiatives, Amsterdam continues to affirm its long-standing reputation as a city with a deep connection to the written word.