At the time Mr Van Rompuy unexpectedly beat Tony Blair and other individuals to the EU presidency a year ago, he had been Belgian prime minister for under 12 months. His poetry started to show up in Belgian newspapers. Van Rompuy, identified by some people as Haiku Herman, will publish a new book of poems next calendar month.
He was initially bitten by the haiku bug in the early Noughties, by way of a friendly relationship with the man recognized as “Flanders’ Father of Haiku” (a senior priest, Bart Mesotten who gifted him one of his poetry books). Van Rompuy continues to be criticized as incredibly dull since he ended up being selected for the EU’s leading position in the Autumn however some declare his haikus as more energetic.
A devout Roman Catholic and a man of simple pleasures, he takes part in frequent retreats at Affligem Abbey, a Benedictine monastery situated in his homeland. He decided not to campaign for the position of European president, and prior to the Belgian king persuading him into becoming leader, he seemed to be moving in the direction of a comfy retirement centered on literature, faith, country strolls and moreover family life.
Everyone who makes an attempt to understand his personality through his haiku, may ponder as to whether he may have favored that tranquil life to the actual position he’s finished up in. Nevertheless he claims this isn’t the case. Fiona Sampson, who is the editor of Poetry Review, suggests reading through Mr Van Rompuy’s haiku is similar to taking a look at “someone’s holiday snaps”.
The book of haiku is due to be published on the 15th of April.
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