Programs
Photo: David Stegenga
Erfgoedarena: Heritage on your plate
This Erfgoedarena explored how food, culture, and tradition are intertwined, and how heritage professionals navigate these fields. During the evening, we examined questions such as: How does a dish come to be regarded as heritage? Who decides which recipes and rituals are preserved, and how does this influence our personal and collective experience of food? And what are the roles and challenges of heritage institutions in ethically collecting, archiving, and presenting food culture?
Speakers:
Đăng-Vũ Đặng, Maxim de Heer, Julie Ng, Paul van Ravestein, Siebren Houwer, Caro Verbeek and Melissa Korn
Moderation: Firoza Mulahella
Reinwardt Academie - curator
Photo: David Stegenga
Perspectives on Resilient Heritage
Reinwardt Academie - curator
The Erfgoedarena was hosting an evening on Perspectives on Resilient Heritage. In a world where heritage is targeted by violence, it is more important than ever to reflect on the role heritage plays during times of war and crisis. In this edition, we explore heritage not only as an unintended victim of conflict but also as a strategic tool in warfare and colonization.
Speakers: Thomas van Linge, Chihiro Geuzebroek, Sherlien Sanches, Umayya Abu-Hanna and Lori Khatchadourian
Moderation: Max Arto de Ploeg Bedoyan
Photo: Bart Treuren
Decolonial Commemoration
On Saturday, August 16 2025, Hotel Maria Kapel hosted a commemorative event focused on the decolonial Indonesia–Netherlands remembrance and celebration, with special attention to the Indonesian, Moluccan, Indo-African, Papuan, Javanese-Surinamese, Chinese-Indonesian (Peranakan Chinese), and Indisch communities. The aim of the afternoon was to create space for reflection and reconnection within these communities through the creation of a collective timeline.
Together with Wouter Neuheus and Sarieke de Jong
Hotel Maria Kapel - initiator
Photo: David Stegenga
´T Mokums – 750 Years of Amsterdam Language
Language is always evolving, just like our city. ’T Mokums, once the everyday language of native Amsterdammers, is for many a piece of intangible heritage: direct, humorous, and full of character. But Mokums is no longer the only dialect that represents Amsterdam.
During this Erfgoedarena, we took a closer look at Amsterdam’s vernacular: How is the Amsterdam language changing and renewing itself? How can we approach language as heritage? And what does the future of language look like in a city that is constantly in motion? An evening about identity, intangible heritage, and the power of words.
Speakers: Dr. Aafje de Roest, Prof. Soortkill, Zeinab el Bouni, Xuranami, Prof. Dr. Roeland van Hout, Bert van Galen
Moderation: Yuki Kho
Reinwardt Academie - curator
Photo: Sander van Ketel | Awarnach
Stories Under the Stars: Sleeping in the Chapel
On the night of December 6–7, Hotel Maria Kapel hosted a unique event where visitors, young people, and other interested participants could spend one night in the chapel. Together, we stargazed and learned about the role of the stars, past and present, in collaboration with the Volkssterrenwacht Orion (Public Observatory Orion). In addition, there were various creative activities, and participants of this special evening were read aloud from a selection of books exploring the universe, stars, and planets.
Guests also had the opportunity to watch a film in our cinema at night, while simultaneously observing the stars through a telescope in the garden. The evening concluded with everyone drifting off to sleep to dreamy melodies.
Hotel Maria Kapel - initatior