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STUDIUM GENERALE

Studium Generale offers a programme of lectures, debates and talkshowslecture series, art, film, theatre and we organise the biennial PAS Festival.

In 2024, Studium Generale launched the dialogue platform Omnium, which offers a programme by the university community reflecting on societal issues through dialogues, debates and discussions.

Scroll down for an overview of our upcoming (English) program. 

Heb je interesse in ons Nederlandstalig programma? Verander rechtsboven de taal van de website.

The Texture of Film | Inaudible melodies – about the film music of the 21st century | Lecture Series

MON 24 MAR, 19:30 - 21:30
Lumière Cinema, Bassin 88
Register 

When was the last time you left the cinema with the film music still going round your head? There’s a good chance it was a long time ago. The style of modern film music is characterised by textures and repeated patterns, whether you’re listening to Christopher Nolan’s Batman films or to intimate arthouse dramas like All of Us Strangers. What’s the background of this development, and are there still catchy film melodies to be found? Kevin Toma gets to the bottom of it with you.

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Projector

The Freedom to Stay | Lecture

MON 24 MARCH, 20:00
Auditorium, Minderbroedersberg 4-6
Register (free)

Philosopher Eva von Redecker proposes a radical new way to look at freedom: what if we conceive freedom as a place where we can stay? Rather than focusing on space, Von Redecker focusses on time. That sounds like a paradox, but in this lecture, she will explain why this new interpretation is better for people and nature, but also for the community because it reduces the distance between individuals. Lasting freedom can only be achieved collectively. And it grows when we share it.

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Eva von Redecker _ © Sophie Brand

Knock Out Comedy | Stand Up Comedy

MON 7 APRIL, 20:30
Vrijthof Theatre, Vrijthof 47, Maastricht
Tickets  (only for students)

Expect pure stand-up comedy: the best jokes, the most brilliant characters, the loudest roast-jokes and razor-sharp observations. An evening of the Knock-Out Comedy Crew guarantees, above all, lots of laughter and unadulterated stand-up comedy, with no common thread. With a line-up of five English-speaking comedians, each show is different. 

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Comedy_TL_SG

The Gender Health Gap | Lecture

TUE 8 APRIL, 20:00
Auditorium, Minderbroedersberg 4-6
Register (free)

In this public lecture, historians Rina Knoeff and Karen Hollewand discuss the issue and argue that we can only solve the gender health gap by also looking at the cultural and historical roots of the problem. Paradoxically, it appears that the activist call for equal opportunities has led in many cases to disregard of the female body.

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Knoeff_Hollewand_fotograaf_Reyer Boxem

Europe in a Turbulent World | Lecture Series

WED 9, 16, 23, 30 APR, AND 7 MAY – 19:30 TO 21:30
Karl Dittrich Hall, Student Services Centre, Bonnefantenstraat 2
Register

Europe faces unprecedented threats. As the outside world appears increasingly unstable and insecure, European leaders grapple with the question of how to meet these challenges. This lecture series seeks to make sense of how Europe can respond to this turbulence. In five lectures, experts will give their perspective on ongoing developments inside and outside Europe.

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Flag of Europe

Climate Justice and Sharing our World | Lecture

MON 14 APRIL, 20:00
Auditorium, Minderbroedersberg 4-6
Register (free)

Balancing environmental sustainability with basic human needs remains a critical challenge; meeting the minimum needs of the poorest adds pressures comparable to the consumption of the top 4%. In this lecture, Gupta will make clear that achieving sustainability and justice requires systemic transformation.

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Joyeeta Gupta

Union | Film & Talk

TUE 15 APR, 19:30 
Lumière Cinema, Bassin 88
Tickets 

This David-and-Goliath battle begins in the spring of 2021, when an employee who was fired by Amazon after he complained about unsafe Covid working conditions decides to set up the Amazon Labor Union (ALU). With a few other like-minded people, he tries to convince workers at the distribution centre of the value of unionization.

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Still from Union

Is Politics Too Emotional, or Not Emotional Enough? | Lecture

WED 30 APRIL, 20:00
Auditorium, Minderbroedersberg 4-6
Register (free)

Is politics too emotional? Are voters and politicians too angry or too anxious? Particularly in these times of polarisation and radicalisation, emotions in politics often get the blame. In this lecture, Gijs Schumacher discusses recent scientific research. In doing so, he debunks myths about emotions, polarisation and populism, and discusses new challenges for our democracy.

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Gijs Schumacher

One Giant Body - Bearing the Pain of our Ancestors| 4 May Lecture

SUN 4 MAY, 20:30
St Janskerk, Vrijthof 24
Register (free)

In a plea for a more inclusive, contemporary approach to the commemoration of the Holocaust, Dutch-Jewish author Maurits de Bruijn will give a lecture about his views on the importance of highlighting intergenerational trauma.

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Maurits_de_Bruijn_foto Yara Jimmink

Why Do We Always Seem to Have Room for Dessert? | Venlo Lecture

TUE 6 MAY, 19:30
Lecture Hall, Nassaustraat 36, Venlo
Register (free)

Many of us are all too familiar with the following situation: you’ve just finished your meal, but as soon as a dessert arrives, you can’t resist eating it. Why? Find out in this lecture!

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Pie

Period Poverty and Menstrual Health | Lecture

TUE 6 MAY, 20:00
Auditorium, Minderbroedersberg 4-6
Register (free)

Menstruation affects the lives of half the world’s population: it influences budget choices, opportunities, participation in society and, in the long run, inequality. Linked to this is period poverty; not being financially able to buy the menstrual products you need, even though you are expected to perform at school or work. In this lecture Maria Carmen Punzi explains in what ways systemic inequality linked to menstrual health is manifested and institutionalized within our society, how this can be changed in concrete terms, and what is already happening right now.

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Period products

Art Meets Science #4: Nature Never Loses | Conversation

SUN 11 MAY, 14:00
Bonnefanten, Avenue Ceramique 250
Register (Free entry with valid museum admission ticket)

In cooperation with Bonnefanten, Studium Generale organises special encounters between art and science. Our guest this time is the artist Carl Cheng. Together with a scientist, we will talk about his work. Over the last six decades, he has worked in a variety of media to reflect on environmental change, the relevance of art institutions to their public and the role of technology in society.

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Bonnefanten Nature Never Loses_CC_SantaMonicaArtTool

How Europe Could End | Schuman Lecture

MON 12 MAY, 20:00
Franz Palm Lecture Hall, Tongersestraat 53
Register (free)

Wars, the fraying of alliances and international order, political extremism and fragmentation, natural catastrophes — all this is making the unthinkable suddenly look possible: the undoing of the European project. In this lecture, Constanze Stelzenmüller will share her view on the future of the European project. 

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Constanze Stelzenmueller -Photo by Marc Darchinger

Let's Talk | Talk Show

MON 19 MAY, 20:00
Dominicanen Bookshop, Dominicanerkerkstraat 1
Register (free)

LET’S TALK is a programme in which we not only give the floor to experts, but also challenge the audience to speak up and interact. In a lively and relaxed setting, we address issues of (student) life: relationships, career, love, health, stress, party life, engagement, etc. Have a drink, listen, talk and sharpen your thoughts and opinions. 

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Illustration of people talking

Opera Zuid: Le Villi & Silenzio | Opera Visit

THU 22 MAY, 19:30 
Vrijthof Theatre, Vrijthof 47
Tickets (only for students!)

Le Villi is an unforgettable dance opera full of passion, love and mysticism, and forms a world where past and present meet and where broken hearts are avenged. Studium Generale and Opera Zuid are teaming up to offer students a unique opportunity to go to the opera – at a quarter of the normal price!

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Le Villi_en_Animus_Opera_Zuid_vierkant_Bjorn_Frins