Education Research Current Organisation and Cooperation NL
Login as
Prospective student Student Employee
Bachelor Master VU for Professionals
Exchange programme VU Graduate Winter School Honours programme VU-NT2 Semester in Amsterdam
PhD at VU Amsterdam Research highlights Prizes and distinctions
Research institutes Our scientists Research Impact Support Portal Creating impact
News Events calendar Energy in transition
Israël and Palestinian regions Women at the top Culture on campus
Practical matters Mission and core values Entrepreneurship on VU Campus
Organisation Partnerships Alumni University Library Working at VU Amsterdam
Sorry! De informatie die je zoekt, is enkel beschikbaar in het Engels.
This programme is saved in My Study Choice.
Something went wrong with processing the request.
Something went wrong with processing the request.

Spoken word contest - Martin Luther King lecture 2024

And the winner is...

Wednesday, October 9, was an evening filled with passion and creativity, rooted in the legacy of Martin Luther King. This year, we received an overwhelming number of inspiring submissions, showcasing the power of the spoken word.

The jury, consisting of Mitchell Esajas, Uchaindani Watson, Chanty Louis, and Dave Ensberg-Kleijkers, selected Yasin Nurmohamed as the winner of the 2024 Martin Luther King Spoken Word competition.

In addition to recognition and appreciation, Yasin received the first prize of 500 euros. The two other finalists – Benjamin Koponen and Keanu Neral – each received 250 euros for their outstanding performances. 

Of course, the evening was not just about winning. Spoken Word is about voices being heard, stories being told, and emotions being shared. Therefore, the jury also awarded an encouragement prize, recognizing the courage and inspiration reflected in every submission. This prize went to Aukje Lausberg. The Young Talent Award, given to someone with great potential for the future, was awarded to Isabella Smeets

Theme
The theme of the Martin Luther King Lecture 2024, and thus also of the Spoken Word competition, was ‘Freedom, Justice, and Hope’. Each poet gave their own interpretation of this timeless theme, inspired by the words of Martin Luther King: We must accept finite disappointment but never lose infinite hope.

About the Martin Luther King Lecture 

Martin Luther King's non-violent struggle for equal rights is still an inspiration today. With his speeches, he enthused many and managed to build bridges and remove resistance. In 1965, King received an honorary doctorate in Social Sciences from VU Amsterdam. The annual Martin Luther King Lecture is in memory of his work and to inspire the prevailing zeitgeist. Prior to the lecture, a Spoken Word contest will take place at VU Amsterdam.

Read more about the Martin Luther King Lecture 2024

All participants

All participants

From left to right:
Aukje Lausberg, Isabella Smeets, Benjamin Koponen, Yesin Nurmohamed and Keanu Neral

Quick links

Homepage Culture on campus VU Sports Centre Dashboard

Study

Academic calendar Study guide Timetable Canvas

Featured

VUfonds VU Magazine Ad Valvas

About VU

Contact us Working at VU Amsterdam Faculties Divisions
Privacy Disclaimer Veiligheid Webcolofon Cookies Webarchief

Copyright © 2024 - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam