Practical
Friday, 20 September, 2024
- 15:00 until 19:00
Royal Circus, Rue de l'Enseignement 81, 1000 Brussels
Free of charge
The Vrije Universiteit Brussel invites you to the Celebration of the Open Mind and to start the new academic year in Cirque Royal in Brussels.
A special moment will be the honorary doctorate for former Humo icon Guy Mortier and the socially engaged Dutch actress Femke Lakerveld.
In his opening speech, Rector Jan Danckaert will powerfully demonstrate how invaluable humanistic values are for an open, tolerant society.
With stand-up comedy, inspiring speeches, poetry, and exotic music, we challenge you to be free at any time and anywhere: you are free to ask critical questions, free to change your mind, free to fall in love with whoever you want, free to be free.
We offer simultaneous translation.
Open minds come together! Be sure to invite your friends who, like you, want to make a stand for the importance of an open mind. Everyone's invited.
Programme
- 15:30: Doors open
- 16:00:
- ÃO
- Guy Mortier
- Femke Lakerveld
- Jan Danckaert
- 17:30: Break
- 18:00:
- ÃO
- Christophe Bush
- Rudi Vranckx
- Elisabeth Lucie Baeten
- Ruth Lasters
- Dena Vahdani
- Sara Leemans
- Guy Mortier
- Femke Lakerveld
- 18:30: Drinks
Line-up
Guy Mortier
Former editor-in-chief of the Flemish magazine Humo and a major inspiration for journalists, authors, and creatives. He’s being awarded an honorary doctorate by the VUB in recognition of his significant contribution to the Dutch language and culture, as well as for the way he used Humo to address social issues in the public sphere. An eternally youthful, free, and critical mind, with a unique talent for capturing the absurdity of everyday life.
Femke Lakerveld
A committed Dutch actress. She is being awarded an honorary doctorate by the VUB for her leading role in the Vrij Links (Free Left) movement, of which she is a co-founder. The movement combines progressive and secular values with an independent perspective, distancing itself from left-wing moralism and right-wing market thinking. She tirelessly advocates for individual freedom, equality, and solidarity.
Rudi Vranckx
Journalist for VRT News, with his own television program since 2008. He specializes in international conflicts and has been recognized for his journalistic work with several awards, including the biennial honorary award from the Humanistic Peace Forum and an honorary doctorate from VUB. He is the author of several books and is known for his critical reporting.
Dena Vahdani
Bilingual Brussels stand-up comedian, daughter of an Iraqi mother who fled to Belgium after the Islamic Revolution. In her recent show ‘Dena, Princess Warrior,’ she paid tribute to the freedom she enjoys in Belgium, which allows her – unlike Iranian women – to perform solo and say what she wants as a woman.
Christophe Bush
Criminologist, historian, and director of the Hannah Arendt Institute, which focuses on citizenship, urbanity, and diversity, and of which he is a co-founder. He emphasizes the distinction between democratic, political polarization – where citizens engage in substantive and non-hostile dialogue on social issues – and toxic, social polarization. He believes it’s important not to simply echo your group's opinions, but to think and act independently and critically.
Sara Leemans
The creative mind behind the Instagram account ‘Dansaertvlamingen,’ which satirizes the modern lifestyle and privileges of (mostly) millennials. She also contributes to the satirical news programme ‘De Ideale Wereld’ (The Ideal World). She believes that humor is the best way to challenge established powers and point out what is wrong, but also sees it as a positive development that in recent years, more thought has been given to how we think and judge.
Ão
Ão is a Belgian band that ignited many festivals this past summer with their distinctive blend of saudade, indie, folk, and electronica. They believe that, as artists, you should choose for yourself where to draw the line in expressing your opinions, and generally refrain from making political statements on stage.
The world needs you
This initiative is part of VUB's public programme: a programme for everyone who believes that scientific knowledge sharing, critical thinking and dialogue are an important first step to create impact in the world.
As an Urban Engaged University, VUB aims to be a driver of change in the world. With our academic edcuational programmes and innovative research, we contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations and to making a difference locally and globally.
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