About the Arts Lecture

For over 35 years, the Faculty of Arts has opened its academic year with the Arts Lecture. During this lecture - with an interactive Q&A session afterwards - a famous Dutch person shares their opinion about the importance of the arts and humanities for society.

The Arts Lecture is intended for staff and students of the faculty and also serves as a faculty welcome for new first-year students. Other interested parties are also very welcome to attend. The lecture is given alternately in Dutch and in English every year; this year it will be given in English.

The Arts Lecture 2026 will take place on Tuesday, 1 September, delivered by none other than Zoë Papaikonomou. The title of her lecture is ‘Language is not neutral: the power of definition and how it influences our interactions in society’.

Previous speakers