Between Fact and Fiction, looking to the future: HSVL symposium supports child welfare through LUF
'Between Fact and Fiction' was the intriguing theme of this year's annual HSVL symposium, which took place on 7 May. This theme was the thread running through an evening of lectures and reflections on the boundaries between historical truth and imagination, fake news, and the role of interpretation in historiography. The symposium was organised by the Historical Study Society Leiden (HSVL), and this year was special because of a collaboration with the Leiden University Fund (LUF). As part of the cooperation, the HSVL and the LUF organised a special lottery. The proceeds went to the LUF Children's Fund, which wants to improve the welfare of children.
Symposium
Leiden's Lokhorstkerk church was the setting for this inspiring evening. Nearly a hundred students, alumni, lecturers and other interested parties gathered to listen to various speakers, each highlighting their own point of viewon the theme. Among other things, the lectures addressed the fields of tension between objective facts and personal or political interpretations of the past, and how fictional elements are sometimes used to make historical realities more accessible or palpable.
LUF Children's Fund in the spotlight
A special moment during the symposium was the contribution of history alumna Eliane Cohen, who spoke on behalf of the LUF Children's Fund:
“So 2025 is a unique year for us. This year we celebrate 450 years of Leiden University. The Leiden University Fund also wants to celebrate this anniversary in a big way and initiated special initiative with the launch of the LUF Children's Fund. This year, everything at the LUF Children's Fund evolves around three special research projects..”
“Children have the future, but the mental and physical health of young people is under severe pressure. More and more children are being successfully treated for an inherited disorder or disease, but ‘cured’ does not always mean that everything is the same again. That is why we want to conduct thorough research into what exactly are the best interventions. This way, we can work towards not only survival, but also “100% well-being’.”
“The research is a horizontal collaboration between different disciplines, such as pedagogy, social sciences and law. 'We put the experts from Leiden University at the table with the children and their loved ones. As far as we are concerned, it is life care to make the generations of the future better..”
Collaborating with the LUF
Chair of the Symposium Committee, Marit Scheepsma, briefly talked about the cooperation between the HSVL and the LUF Children's Fund:
“Since last year, the HSVL has also tried to devote attention to charity during the annual symposium. The HSVL does this by means of a lottery, because this is not only very noble, but also very fun to organize."
"For us as a study association, it is a great way to angage a bit more with the society and show that we are not just focused on students."
"We came to choose the LUF Children's Fund partly because of the anniversary and the announced cuts to higher education and scientific research. Therefore, this year we wanted to do something for science."
About the LUF Children's Fund
Leiden University is celebrating its anniversary this year not only by looking back, but also forward. Together with the LUF Children's Fund, they are committed to the future: children. The LUF Children's Fund supports research projects by Leiden scientists that contribute to a better future for vulnerable children. Would you like to get involved with the LUF Children's Fund? Or cooperate in fundraising? See how you can contribute via lufkinderfonds.nl.
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Elianne Cohen on the LUF Children's Fund -
Marit Scheepsma introduces the various speakers at the symposium