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Katja Tolstoj,Theologian of the Fatherland 2023

VU professor Katja Tolstoj, ambassador of theology in the Netherlands and Theologian of the Fatherland 2023

Through her work as professor at the Vrije Universiteit, her history with Russia and her personal involvement, Katja Tolstoj is able to interpret as no other the current political and religious developments in Europe. 

"As professor of theology and religion in post-traumatic societies, I want to nuance simplistic discourses. What are historical, theological and political lines that define 1 conflicts—including the current war in Ukraine?" 

In her role as Theologian of the Fatherland, Katja Tolstoj passionately and diligently focuses on three core themes: the future of theology and study of religion; developing a Theology after Gulag, Bucha and beyond; and 'De Thuisgevers', a solution to bogged down asylum seekers.

Others about Katja

Jury report Theologian of the Fatherland

In the current geopolitical context, theologian Katja Tolstaja is an important ambassador of theology in the Netherlands. She is able to interpret political and religious developments in Europe and at the same time make the impact of war and peace on people's ordinary lives palpable. 

Both from her personal involvement, her history with Russia, her commitment to Ukrainian refugees and her profession, Katja Tolstaya is ideally situated to interpret developments near and far and to make connections with theology and religion. 

We also know her as a warm and enthusiastic personality who, like no other, is able to show for a year that theology is a relevant discipline that makes an important contribution to building our society.

Read more here

Jonah Falke

On all subsequent filming days, it became clear that her life sometimes more closely resembles a novel—a Russian novel, of course--than that of an average professor awaiting the next a stack of books. No mild boredom here, but life and death. 

Katja lives multiple lives simultaneously. Somehow, though, she remains upbeat and cheerful. Perhaps that is providence. In thought and action, Tolstoj is progressive and independent, yet she exudes an old-fashioned demeanor, stately, untouchable.

Following Katja Tolstoj taught us that whether you move through the world with or without God, humorless seriousness and moralism are for mediocre minds. The world is a bitter joke: “We overslept. No psychological profile of Putin was made when he came to power, cuts are being made in science, and the Earth is dying. It's time for action.”

Read more here

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