HE IS Dutch and he is fluent as Gaeilge. He is a writer, a journalist, and former café owner and he is about to launch his debut novel in Galway.
Alex Hijmans’ debut novel Aiséirí, published by Cois Life, will be launched in Charlie Byrne's Bookshop on Thursday March 10 at 6pm. Alex will read from the book and be signing copies.
The book tells the story of Rebekka, a young Dutch artist who comes to live in Galway and who works in the Irish speaking Aiséirí café. However this is a café with a difference. Aiséirí does not have customers. It forms an urban, contemporary family that is mobile and cosmopolitan.
It is in this family that Rebekka is challenged to seek a deeper understanding of herself and of whatever brought her to Galway in the first place.
Alex was born in Holland, and moved to Ireland at the age of 20. He spent 12 years in Galway, working as a journalist for RTÉ, Raidió na Gaeltachta, TG4, and Foinse, and, for five and half years, managing the bilingual café Bananaphoblacht.
Alex’s first book Favela, also published by Cois Life, describes his experiences among the people of a poor suburb of Salvador in Brazil, where he still lives with his husband Nilton.
Aiséirí costs €10. For more information see www.alexhijmans.com
