Labs: Think Tank

Dates

21 March 2025

Location

SPUI25, Spui 25-27, Amsterdam

Running time

1:30

Tickets

Free (no reservation needed)

Group portrait - Labs: Think Tank - OFF 2025

What does music mean to who we are?

What does a ‘national identity’ sound like? Is there such a thing as a specifically Dutch or European musical identity? And what can we learn from the past? In the OFF Think Tank, students and professionals meet up multiple times to explore fundamental questions about opera's role in the world. In debates with inspiring guest speakers, they will discuss the relationship between music, national identity and politics, and explore related questions, such as whether there is such a thing as a specifically Dutch opera or music theatre canon. Why is the relationship between music and identity so important anyway?

The project will conclude with a public presentation and discussion of their explorations at the academic and cultural platform SPUI25 on Friday, 21 March 2025, 17:00-18:30. You are more than welcome to join the students in reflecting on their findings from the OFF Think Tank project.

Free entrance, but application is required due to limited space.

Music and national identity

The OFF Think Tank brings together students from the University of Amsterdam, Maastricht University and Radboud University with professionals to explore how opera is connected to national identity.

In seven preparatory sessions and four intensive days during the festival, the students will explore these issues in debates, alongside contributions from inspiring guest speakers and compelling performances. The sessions will be chaired by Mirjam Zegers, who has extensive experience in music, curatorial practices and education, both in the Netherlands and internationally, through various roles.

Performance information

With students from the University of Amsterdam, Maastricht University and Radboud University (Nijmegen).

Students from University of Amsterdam
Mika Alberg
Pascale Bosboom
Roisin Daly
Sandra Harminc
Unnur Hlíf Rúnarsdóttir
Yuni Zeng

Students from Maastricht University
Sophie van Beers
Michela Pegurri
Sultan Prasasti

Students from Radboud University
Caroline Couch
Eva García Moreno

Bestel kaarten

Admission to Think Tank is free. Click the button below to reserve a seat. Please note: Think Tank will take place at SPUI25 (Spui 25-27, Amsterdam).