Churches close their doors massively, but does it also disappear the saint? Inspired by Henk Helmandel's paintings, philosopher Ward Huetink examines in this lecture how our relationship to sacred places changes. What new forms of meaning and stillness are emerging in a society where faith plays a less obvious role?
Henk Helmandel shows us the world in a special way in his still lifes and church interiors. Smooth, meditative, religious. At the same time, churches and monasteries in the Netherlands are closing their doors massively: Since 1945, around 2000 churches lost their religious function, and it is expected to be a further 1800 in the next 10 years. Do these holy places have anything to say to us? Are there any new sacred places in our modern, secular society? What actually makes something sacred . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
About the speaker
Colleague Ward Huetink studied law and philosophy. He's working at Socires as coordinator of the Structures of Sense programme. In 2024 he published the book "Zin" in Society. In 2025 he published the book Denken Over Film with Kees Buitendijk and Ellen Klaver: Technics in Image.
Practical information
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- Tickets are free, but it is mandatory to reserve a place. Tickets are available via this link of the Museum Catherijneconvent.