English Department turns 75: English Studies alive and kicking in Leiden
At the end of May, the Leiden English Language and Culture Programme, formerly known as the Department of English Language and Literature, celebrated its 75th anniversary (starting from the appointment of the first professor of English Studies). Over 220 alumni, staff present and past, and students gathered in the Lipsius Building for the festive proceedings.
Calls everywhere of "long time, no see!" and "so good to see you again!", over coffee and during the drinks party. It had been almost eight years since the last English alumni day. This lustrum had sparked even more enthusiasm: in 2025, English Language and Culture celebrates its 75th anniversary!
Distinguished guest
The day kicked off with a distinguished guest: none other than the Ambassador of the United Kingdom, Joanne Roper CMG, had travelled to Leiden, specially to celebrate the lustrum with us. In her speech, she discussed the historical ties between the Netherlands and the United Kingdom and the importance of studying English language and culture.
We first took a trip down memory lane with an upbeat, interactive quiz on the history of the Department by Tony Foster, but there was also a moment of sadness as we remembered former colleagues in a beautiful In memoriam, presented by emeritus Professor Ingrid Tieken. You can see their presentations here.
Four specialisations
Current staff members from each of the Department's traditional four specializations covered 75 years of English Studies in informative and fun lecturettes on subjects that are still topical today: on the continuing value of the dictionary for translation and language studies (English Language and Translation), on 428 years of Old English philology in Leiden (Philology), on how phonetic representation in textbooks gives an unrealistic picture of spoken English (Linguistics), and on how women are underrepresented in the Norton Anthology (Literary Studies).
Read on below the photos
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Opening speech by the Ambassador of the United Kingdom, Joanne Roper CMG -
The Ambassador Joanne Roper CMG and the Board of Albion -
Trip down memory lane by Tony Foster: do you recognise your old university building? -
Alumni and the Job market: four alumni and a student were interviewd by Evert van Leeuwen -
Musical intermezzo by the Leiden English Choir -
A rose for each member of the choir -
Group photo a -
Group photo b
Video and musical intermezzi
We were also given an inside look in the life of an English student anno 2025, in a lovely short film made by students from the Albion Association, see below. And we heard about the careers of some of our alumni in an engaging panel discussion.
The wonderful musical intermezzos, provided by a sizeable delegation of the Leiden English Choir and by alumnus Artur Schouten, will stay with us for a long time.
Thanks to all of you who attended, we can look back on a successful and happy day. After 75 years, English Studies in Leiden is alive and kicking. On to the next lustrum!
A week in the life of English students - Albion Association
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