Relief of Groningen at the UG - 2025

This year, the University of Groningen will once again open its doors on Wednesday, 28 August in honor of the Relief of Groningen. This year's programme consists of the 28 August speech, also known as freedom speech, in which we will delve deeper into the theme 'The Price of Freedom.'

This year's lecture will be delivered by Prof. James Kennedy, America expert, former dean of University College Utrecht (2015-2020) and professor of Modern Dutch History at Utrecht University.

James Kennedy is a renowned American-Dutch historian who has been highly influential as an advocate for socially engaged education and as an innovator of the Dutch historical canon. His work connects academic depth with civic engagement. Kennedy is known for his research on postwar Dutch history.

Audiences and students will get an illuminating analysis of the dangers to freedom and democracy in America in the present context and in historical perspective.

Registration

You are cordially invited to come to the University of Groningen on 28 August and take a look around the Academy Building, Broerstraat 5, 9712 CP Groningen, as you learn more about these topics.

The lecture, which will be held in Dutch, also takes place in the Academy Building and takes place from 11.30 a.m. through 12.15 p.m.

We would like to kindly ask you to register for this lecture.

About the Relief of Groningen

In the year 1672, the “Year of Disaster,” the Republic of the United Netherlands was threatened to be overrun by England, France and the bishops of Cologne and Münster. Groningen, however, showed tremendous resilience under the leadership of Carl von Rabenhaupt, who managed to withstand the siege by Bommen Berend. In Groningen, this struggle for freedom and the resilience of the people of Groningen are still celebrated annually on 28 August.

• Read more about the Relief of Groningen.