ROTTERDAM, 13 May 2026 – Lien Bhaggan from Rotterdam has been named Taalheld Zuid-Holland 2026 and is now in the running for the national Language Hero Prize (Taalheldenprijs). The prize celebrates adults who are learning to improve their reading, writing, numeracy or digital skills.
Image: Anita Witzier, ambassador of Stichting Lezen en Schrijven, surprised Lien Bhaggan during her language class. Photo: Stichting Lezen en Schrijven.
Bhaggan was surprised during her language class by Anita Witzier, ambassador of Stichting Lezen en Schrijven. The national award ceremony takes place on 24 June, with ten nominees from across the Netherlands competing for the 2026 title.
Rotterdam nominee reaches final
Bhaggan represents South Holland in this year’s national selection. She had difficulty reading and writing for years, but now follows a course and attends a local language group every day. That daily commitment is exactly why this story matters. Improving basic skills (basisvaardigheden) as an adult takes time, courage and the willingness to walk into a classroom when many people would rather hide the problem.
Anita Witzier brings surprise
Stichting Lezen en Schrijven called in March for course participants to be nominated for the Taalheldenprijs. Bhaggan was selected as the South Holland nominee and was surprised during class by Witzier. The foundation says every nominee has shown that it is never too late to grow in language, numeracy or digital skills. It also stresses that behind many learners there is someone who noticed, started the conversation and offered support.
In total, ten people have been nominated for the national Taalheldenprijs. Together, they represent adults across the country who have taken a visible step towards stronger basic skills.
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Low literacy affects daily life
In the Netherlands, one in five people aged 16 to 75 has difficulty with basic skills such as language, numeracy and digital skills. That can affect work, health, money matters and confidence in everyday life.
The hardest part is often not the learning itself, but the shame around asking for help. Stichting Lezen en Schrijven wants the Taalheldenprijs to make these stories more visible, so more adults feel able to take that first step. And honestly, that first step deserves applause, not embarrassment.
Public vote opens in June
Besides the jury prize of €2,500, the nominees also have a chance to win the public vote. Everyone in the Netherlands can vote for their favourite nominee from Monday 1 June to Sunday 21 June. Voting takes place via www.taalheld.nl, where the nominees will introduce themselves. The Taalheldenprijs is organised by Stichting Lezen en Schrijven, with support from Achmea and the National Postcode Lottery.
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Rotterdam story with wider meaning
Bhaggan’s nomination gives Rotterdam a personal story inside a much bigger national issue. Reading a letter, filling in a form, understanding a payslip, using a smartphone or helping a child with schoolwork can all become harder when basic skills are not strong enough.
That is why language courses and local learning groups matter. They are not only about spelling or grammar. They are about independence, confidence and being able to take part in daily life without constantly having to work around the things you cannot yet do.
Vote for Lien Bhaggan
Voting for the public prize opens on Monday 1 June and closes on Sunday 21 June. You can vote via www.taalheld.nl once the voting page is live. The national Taalheldenprijs ceremony takes place on 24 June. If Bhaggan wins, Rotterdam will have a national language hero to celebrate, and frankly, we do enjoy a Rotterdam win with a good human story behind it.
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