Lectures and interviews

Lectures are a standard part of our activities. When planning the lectures, we try to connect light topics with academic topics. That is how we start the discussion, which can sometimes last until late into the night. 

In recent years, we have been given an insight into, amongst other things, the ‘making of’ the artwork Skyscraper (the blue-and-white whale that leapt out of the water in the canal near Tivoli Vredenburg for several months). This explored the connection to the multidisciplinary research being carried out in Utrecht into the causes and harmful consequences of the ‘plastic soup’.

We were introduced to the life of the Utrecht patriot Pieter Quint Ondaatje, the Spanish poet Federico García Lorca and the secrets of Germany during a lecture during the German evening. The programme also featured various Studium Generale lectures, preceded by a dinner in the Huiskamer with a brief introduction by the guest speaker.

Furthermore, together with the International Neighbour Group, we organised a series of lectures entitled ‘This is our university’, featuring, amongst others, university professors Hans Clevers, Frits van Oostrom, Coen Teulings and José van Dijck. In addition, we welcomed high-profile Dutch figures to a series of interview evenings organised by students from Utrecht Union. These included the Dutch top gymnast and Olympic champion Epke Zonderland, former Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende, the passionate former politician, children’s book author and scientist Jan Terlouw, and the writer Francine Oomen. Other guests included Sinan Can, Iva Bicanic, Marcel Levi, Kajsa Ollongren, Milou Deelen, Rob Jetten, Lale Gül and Simon van Teutem. The partnership aims to bring students and alumni together.