Forty Years of Dutch Studies Celebrated in Festive Style in Leiden
The bachelor’s programme in Dutch Studies marked its fortieth anniversary on 22 May with a festive gathering in Leiden.
Alumni, students, colleagues, former colleagues and other interested guests from both the Netherlands and abroad, assembled in front of the Herta Mohr Building. The reception took place outdoors as the day was beautifully sunny. The event was formally opened by chair Rick Honings, who emphasised the unique nature of the programme: it is the only place in the Netherlands and Flanders where non‑Dutch students can complete a full bachelor’s degree to become Nederlandkundigen. The programme forms part of a cluster of three degrees – the BA in Dutch Language and Culture and the MA in Neerlandistiek being the two – which work closely together.
Experts on the Netherlands
The first cohort of Dutch Studies students began their studies in the 1986–1987 academic year. At that time, most students came from Indonesia. Since then, hundreds of students from across the world have studied Dutch Studies in Leiden – from China, Japan and Indonesia to Canada, the United States and numerous European countries. The programme attracts both regular students who complete the full degree and exchange students who come to Leiden University for one or two semesters. Because of this, all teaching naturally takes place in an international classroom.
Founder Jan de Vries
The founding father of the programme was linguist Jan de Vries (1937–2008), who had previously helped establish the Program Studi Belanda in Jakarta. De Vries observed that foreign students studying Dutch in Leiden almost never managed to obtain a degree. He convinced the faculty board that a separate programme was needed. As he explained in a 2001 interview: “We developed a programme for foreigners who wanted to pursue a full degree in Dutch in the Netherlands. The aim was not only to teach them language and literature, but also the history and art history of the Low Countries.”
That principle still guides the programme today. Students receive a solid foundation in language acquisition. Most begin with no prior knowledge of Dutch; after one semester, they follow their lectures in Dutch. It is always remarkable to see how much progress they make within a year. Students with some prior knowledge may enter directly into the second year and receive exemptions for first‑year language courses. In their third year, all students take classes together with native speakers. Although Jan de Vries sadly passed away in 2008, his portrait stood prominently in the centre of the room throughout the afternoon. He would undoubtedly have been proud to see that his “child” is still thriving.
Congratulations and short lectures
After the welcome, the Dean of the Faculty, Henk te Velde, delivered a speech, followed by Anne Sluijs, Director of the International Association for Dutch Studies. Lecturer Liesbet Winkelmolen then held a conversation with former colleagues, who shared stories of their pioneering work in the early years. At that time, the secretary would accompany Indonesian students to buy and carry mattresses, and teaching materials were scarce because they still had to be developed.
Two short lectures followed. Frans Blom, now at the University of Amsterdam but formerly a lecturer in Dutch Studies, spoke about Rembrandt’s Anatomy Lesson and the importance of knowledge of historical Dutch – a quintessential Dutch Studies topic combining art history, history, literature, and language. Leiden linguist Ronny Boogaart discussed the popularity of diminutives ending in ‑ie, such as koppie and feessie.
The Programme in One Word: “Fantastic!”
Perhaps the most special moment was the interview with four alumni, one from each decade: Peter Eredics (Hungary), Chicca Carvelli (Italy), Dan Hou (China) and Will Hoyer (United States). Three of them were also interviewed for Mare in honour of the anniversary. The interviewers were two current first‑year students: Loredana Bujanovschi and Anna Brandt. The alumni spoke about their lecturers, their favourite courses, their experiences with Dutch food, the love stories that brought them to the Netherlands or kept them here, and how the programme helped them find their career paths. When asked to describe their time in the programme in one word, they all answered: “Fantastic!” Their stories – and the enthusiasm of Loredana and Anna – contributed greatly to the warm atmosphere.
The gathering concluded with a reception in the beautiful garden of the Faculty Club, where guests raised a glass to the fortieth anniversary. It was wonderful to see how many former students, including many from abroad, had made the effort to travel to Leiden. Old connections were renewed, new ones were formed, and countless memories, photos and selfies were shared. Onwards to the fiftieth anniversary in 2036!
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Reception in front of the Herta Mohr building -
Reception in front of the Herta Mohr building -
Memories by former staff members. Plus a painting of founding father Jan de Vries (1937-2008) -
Interviews with alumni by two current first-year students -
All (former) staff members in the garden of the Faculty Club