Welcome to the October newsletter 2026
As we settle into fall, we are happy to present our October newsletter!
Re/Presenting Europe recommends
Orange and the Colonies, 1600-2025: The colonial history of the House of Orange-Nassau
Researchers from Leiden University, including Esther Captain, examined the role of the House of Orange in Dutch colonialism over the course of four centuries. The findings resulted in a series of six books, which were received by King Willem-Alexander last week.
The book launch, including receiving the books by King Willem-Alexander, can be viewed here. The findings can be either bought as a set, or you can buy the summary for the public.
Project announcements
Farewell Isabella!
After three years at Re/Presenting Europe, my time at the project has come to an end. Thank you to everyone who has made the last three years so inspiring. I am very pleased that I got to work alongside so many of you to achieve the goals of this expansive project. I will leave the project at the end of November, so keep your eyes peeled for a farewell drink.
As for what is next, I am unfortunately unsure – I am currently looking for my next position, so if you hear of anything, feel free to send it my way. However, I won’t be lacking things to keep me busy in the meantime; I’ll keep DJing and co-running my foundation, AMPFEMININE. I am not planning on leaving academia altogether, as I am also in the process of setting up an independent PhD. The project and co-authoring a book chapter with Kim Dankoor were key in motivating me to pursue this next academic step – so thank you for that too.
Hopefully see you around!
Welcome Irene!
Hi everyone! After my internship last semester, I graduated this summer from the RMA Modern and Contemporary History at the UU. As of September, I have fully joined the management team and am very pleased that I am able to join project for its last year. I will be taking over from Isabella as project manager as of December. I am looking forwards to getting to know everyone and have a fruitful round-up of the project. Hope to see you all soon!
Welcome Milou!
Hi everyone! My name is Milou Munsters, I am very happy to be joining the project this year. I will be working on the theme of Education & Learning from Utrecht University, studying identity and belonging with high school students. I have been working at UU for the past year and a half, after graduating as an art (history) educator. Next to that, I have my creative endeavors: I am a writer of creative non-fiction, I make visual art and am part of a theatre collective. More and more, I am exploring how these two worlds can come together, how art and creativity can help advance social justice in and through education. I look forward to meeting you all and working together!
Congratulations Dastan!
We would like to congratulate Dastan Abdali for receiving the Murray Foreman Mixtape Award! This award honors outstanding postgraduate scholarship presented at annual EHHSN Network Meetings, that epitomizes the Network’s stated commitment to share and expand knowledge of Hip Hop culture. Dastan was granted the award alongside Friederike Frost in Griff Rollefson’s and Adam Haupt’s article ‘”Stir it up’: Hip hop scholars and/as practice-based researchers”. You can read the article here.
Upcoming events
Esther Captain’s inaugural lecture
Date: 14 October at 16:15 Location: Auditorium (Aula) Academiegebouw, Domplein 29 Utrecht.
On Wednesday, October 14th, Dr Esther Captain will give her inaugural lecture, titled: Ruptures and Links. Crossing generations and oceans in the history of slavery and colonialism. If you are planning to attend, please register here. If you are unable to attend in person, watch it via the livestream.
Rhymes, Rhythms and Revolutions symposium
Date: 27 October at 16:00-18:30 Location: Johanna Hudiggebouw, 1.27 (Achter Sint Pieter 200), Utrecht
Join us on 27 November 2026 for a celebration of Dutch Caribbean history! As part of the wider symposium “Rhymes, Rhythms and Revolutions”, this event explores how cross-border and cross-cultural entanglements have impacted and shaped Dutch Caribbean societies in the twentieth century. After a short reflection on the symposium we celebrate two recent releases: the book Surinamese Anticolonial Thought in the Twentieth Century (Bloomsbury, 2026), edited by Debby Esmeé de Vlugt and Peter Meel, and the album Antiyano Progresivo: Musical Experiments from the Former Dutch Caribbean, 1968-1986 (Soundway Records, 2026) by Mathijs Reinen (Rozaly) and Thomas Gesthuizen (Jumanne). The event closes with a reception with drinks, snacks, and music from Antiyano Progresivo. Anyone is welcome, but registration is required.
If you are planning to attend, please register here!
Final Consortium meeting reminders
While we are busy organising the final consortium meeting next May, we would like to remind everyone of the Call for Papers (deadline 25 October 2026), now also out in Dutch and Papiamentu. Feel free to distribute the Call for Papers to your network!
Past events
Launching of the Netherlands Association for Critical Race and Antiracism (NACRA)
–> requested text and visual
NWA Route Levend Verleden meeting
On 29th of September, a networking event was held with projects that align with the NWA Route Living Past, which focusses on a stronger connection between science and society. Rachel shared in the afternoon conversation, where large projects shared their knowledge: what was each project about? what were they proud of? and what do they take away from their time leading a large consortium? It was a fruitful conversation where people from the NWO and different projects could gather insights for their current or future projects.
Documentary screening – Beach Inna Bondage: The Fight for Jamaica’s Coastline
On 12 September, the Melkweg showed a screening of Beach Inna Bondage: The Fight for Jamaica’s Coastline. Directed by former project manager Emiel Martens and Elsie Vermeer, the film follows the movement for beach access and explores the social, cultural, environmental and economic impact of coastal privatisation. Its focus includes communities connected to Bob Marley Beach near Kingston, Blue Lagoon in Portland and Mammee Bay Beach on Jamaica’s north coast.
As more of the island’s coastline comes under the control of private and tourism interests, communities are challenging the loss of spaces that have long been part of everyday Jamaican life.
Publications
NRC publishes piece on Francio Guadeloupe’s work: The article discusses his research and his movie, Changá, by the NRC. Read the full article here.
Who Are Our Heroes?
Shaq, Aram, Rash, Rafi and Basem join Mitchel from Cult North to explore heroes, admiration and influence — and what truly makes someone a hero.
Listen to the podcast
