During the annual Abraham Kuyper Lecture on Thursday 21 May 2026, the theme ‘The Value of Human Effort’ takes centre stage. Through a range of artistic forms, the programme explores how authenticity comes into being, and what is lost when human intention, experience and presence are absent.
Writer in Residence Thomas Heerma van Voss opens the evening by examining authenticity through literature. He reflects on what it means for our appreciation of texts when words become detached from human experience and intention. Next, computer scientist Felienne Hermans demonstrates that digital systems and programming languages are also shaped by human choices and ways of thinking. Finally, Assistant Professor of Art History Klazina Botke explores how we assign value and meaning to art. After all, who decides what is real, and on what basis do we place our trust?
The VU Chamber Choir will close the programme with a live choral performance, placing the human voice, breath and interplay at its heart.
Moderator: Roos van Rijswijk
Registration for the lecture will soon be available on this page.
The Abraham Kuyper Lecture is partly made possible by: VUvereniging | Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities.
Read the interview with Thomas Heerma van Voss