Vrije Universiteit Brussel opens academic year with Feest van de Vrije Geest

Jan Danckaert: “The open mind is a treasure”

September 20, 2024

Friday 20 September 2024 – Rector Jan Danckaert opened the Vrije Universiteit Brussel’s academic year today at the Koninklijk Circus in Brussels. With the Feest van de Vrije Geest – our Celebration of the Open Mind – the university welcomed a host of inspiring opinion makers and artists who shared what a free spirit means to them. The VUB also presented honorary doctorates to former Humo magazine editor Guy Mortier and the socially engaged Dutch actress Femke Lakerveld. They received the distinction for the way in which they constantly seek to expose dogma and ideological dumbing down.

An open mind protects the modern freedoms: freedom of expression, of the press, of inquiry. It frees us to ask questions, to make decisions about our own bodies, to reject higher powers.

In his opening address, Jan Danckaert emphasised just how invaluable these quintessentially humanistic freedoms are for an open, tolerant society – and how fiercely the VUB upholds them.

“Free spirits are open minds and open minds thrive in respectful dialogue that leads to new insights. Free thinkers are the motor of sustainable progress, in the search for an exit from the climate crisis and from the alarming environmental situation. We must radically rethink our relationship with the planet, with nature. We must also rethink our geopolitical relationships, to find ways out of long-running conflicts in Europe and around the world. As a university, we choose respectful dialogue. That is not always easy, but it is the only way. We must also rethink our approach to technology, and regulate it too. The path we are looking for, which should lead to a better world via sustainable progress, can only be found by lateral thinkers. Those who think differently, who think freely. From the university, I am happy to see scientific free thinkers and free-thinking scientists around the world. Science for the common good.”

After the rector’s address, a number of opinion makers took to the stage, including Rudy Vranckx, Elisabeth Lucie Baeten, Christophe Busch, Sara Leemans, Dena Vahdani and Ruth Lasters. Their words were interspersed with a unique blend of saudade, indie and electronica courtesy of Belgian band Ão.

Two honorary doctorates

Finally, honorary doctorates were presented during the academic opening to Guy Mortier and Femke Lakerveld. Former Humo editor-in-chief Mortier was honoured for the important mark he has left on our media and cultural landscape over half a century.

Guy Mortier made a substantial contribution to the Dutch language and culture in the way he addressed social issues in public opinion through Humo and his talent for capturing the absurdity of everyday life. He inspired and encouraged many young journalists, authors and creatives, leaving a lasting impact on the media and cultural landscape in Belgium and the Netherlands.

Femke Lakerveld receives an honorary doctorate for her achievements in acting, but above all for her leading role in the Vrij Links movement, whose progressive and liberal values align seamlessly with the values of the VUB. The university honours her as a figurehead of the movement and for her tireless commitment to individual freedom, equality and solidarity.

“In Guy Mortier and Femke Lakerveld, we are highlighting two exceptional personalities. Their work has always been about the free spirit, critical thinking and a secular society,” concludes rector Jan Danckaert.