You’ve no doubt stumbled across it at some point: Godert Walter. Yet there’s a good chance you’re not yet familiar with the history of this bookshop on Oude Ebbingestraat. We’d love to tell you about Godert himself, the shop and the newly opened Water’s Bookshop on Oude Kijk in ’t Jatstraat. It’s the story of a brave man who sparked a literary revolution in Groningen.
A household name in the city for 80 years
Since 1935, a distinctive bookshop has been located on Oude Ebbingestraat. It was originally established as an ‘algemeene boekhandel’, as it was written in Old Dutch. In 1941, the business was taken over by Godert Walter, who named the bookshop after himself. Agnes van Gelder joined him a year later, and it was love at first sight. The book lovers married just two months later and had two sons. Sadly, their happiness was not to last long. During the Second World War, Godert Walter sold books related to the resistance. As a result, in 1944, at the age of 33, he met a tragic end when he was executed at his home in Haren. Although the bookshop has had several owners since then, it has always retained the name Godert Walter in honour of his courage.
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Erwin de Vries and Allard Steenbergen currently run the business. The two met through their football club and have formed a strong team ever since. These days, you can visit the shop for books in English, French, German and, of course, Dutch. You’ll find a wide range of literature, philosophy, history, social sciences, nature and science, architecture, design and Groningana. That last theme is our favourite. These books about Groningen tell you about important figures from the region, the language spoken here, the history that has unfolded here and many more topics to be proud of. The staff are very knowledgeable about the range and are happy to help you find the perfect book to read yourself or to give as a present. When the weather permits, it’s also lovely to find a spot in Godert Walter’s garden. A hidden gem with a well-stocked bookcase for the bookworms amongst us. Feel free to have a cup of coffee and spend your afternoon here. Have a chat or quietly enjoy the words on the page.
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Books for all residents of the city
People from the city and the surrounding countryside have always known where to find the bookshop on Oude Ebbingestraat. Now that Groningen is becoming increasingly international, the demand for books is also changing. Walter’s Bookshop opened on Oude Kijk in ’t Jatstraat just over a year ago, specifically for the new generation of city dwellers. A meeting place for literature lovers, with a wide collection of English-language books covering literature, poetry, design, science, nature and history. You can pick up not just books, but also postcards, posters and other bits and bobs here. You’ll also find Walter’s Showcase here; a special corner of the shop where works of art by local artists are exhibited. Activities are organised regularly in the shop, such as meetings with writers, a silent book club and performances by artists. So it’s definitely a good idea to have a look at Walter’s events calendar.
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