Relief of Groningen at the UG

Just like last year, the University of Groningen will open its doors on Wednesday 28 August in honour of the Relief of Groningen. This year, the programme will delve deeper into the themes of Freedom and Resilience. How did society show resilience during the Relief of Groningen? What does freedom mean to us today? What do historical examples of resilience and freedom teach us? Come in and take a look around the Academy Building as you learn more about these themes.

Freedom and resilience during the Disaster Year

In 1672, known as the Disaster Year, the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands was threatened to be overrun by England, France, and the bishops of Cologne and Münster. However, Groningen showed immense resilience and, under the leadership of Carl von Rabenhaupt, managed to withstand the siege of Bommen Berend. This struggle for freedom and the resilience of the people of Groningen is still celebrated every year! This year’s event is therefore dedicated to the themes of Freedom and Resilience.

Programme

Come to the Academy Building and experience a day full of interesting activities centred around Freedom and Resilience during the Relief of Groningen. Join the 28 August Lecture, attend a mini lecture, discover history during a tour of the Academy Building or the Röling Building, and enjoy a nice cup of coffee or tea in between. You can also get a bowl of authentic Groningen mustard soup at a low price. Let your creativity run wild at the Freedom and Resilience Wall and enjoy live music. This day already promises to be an inspiring and educational experience!

Join the 28 August Lecture

Mini lectures schedule

The mini lectures will be held either in Dutch or in English and all take place in the Academy Building.

Guided tours of the Academy Building

Have you always wanted to take a look inside the Academy Building and learn more about the UG? Klaas Wilts will happily take you on a guided tour of the building, which is not as old as it seems. The time slots for the guided tour will be announced later.

The guided tours will start at 1:00 PM (Dutch), 2:00 PM (English) and 3:00 PM (Dutch). in the main hall of the Academy Building. You do not have to register for attending a tour.

Guided tours of the Röling Building

In August 2023, the Faculty of Law moved from the Harmony Building at the Oude Kijk in 't Jatstraat 26 to the Röling Building at the Oude Boteringestraat 18. Come in for a tour through and around the Röling Building, focusing on the present but especially on the past of the building and its location. Agriculture, educational history, slavery past, poets, physicists, court cases, wild pop music, squatters' riots; these and much more will be covered in a tour of about half an hour.

The tour starts at 2:15 PM (Dutch), 3:15 PM (Dutch), and 4:15 PM (English upon request) from the Brunsema Room on the ground floor of the Röling Building. You do not have to register for attending a tour.

Other updates on the programme will be posted on this page.