Nestled in the leafy suburb of Tervuren just outside Brussels, the AfricaMuseum has long stood as a monumental symbol of Belgium’s colonial past. Founded in 1898, the museum once served as a powerful propaganda tool in the service of King Leopold II’s imperial ambitions in the Congo and Central Africa. Today, however, the institution finds itself at the centre of a very different mission: decolonisation. In this podcast, Bart Ouvry, Managing Director of the Africa Museum, speaks candidly about the challenges of leading this transformation.
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The Toll Privilege: Amsterdam’s 750th Birthday in a Hidden Treasure
On a crisp October morning, history came alive under the vaulted ceilings of Amsterdam's City Archives. A modest parchment, locked away for
centuries, brought us face-to-face with the city's ancient origins. Known as the Toll Exemption Privilege, this document—dated 27 October 1275—marks the very first mention of Amsterdam. In this podcast, senior curator Erik Schmitz explains the significance of the Toll Privilege, describing it as "a tangible link to the foundation and resilience of the city," that now celebrates its 750-year jubilee.
www.the-low-countries.com/category/podcasts
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Exploring Dutch Culture with Greg Shapiro, the American Netherlander
The Curious Life of Rembrandt and His Forgotten Painter Friend Jan Lievens
They both lived during the Dutch Golden Age, grew up in Leiden, were taught by the same painter, shared a studio, received all the praise, and painted the rulers of their time. And yet, Jan Lievens is not as famous today as his friend Rembrandt.
In this episode of The Low Countries Radio, we reconstruct the lives and works of these two giants of art, showing how trends and the zeitgeist can drive or hinder an artist's career, but how their legacy is bound to the whims of fate and fortune.
Welcome to the world of the Dutch Masters.
www.the-low-countries.com/podcast
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Simon Gronowski's Great Escape from the 20th Nazi Convoy
In this episode, 92-year-old Holocaust survivor Simon Gronowski talks about his spectacular escape from a deportation train to Auschwitz, why he befriended the son of Flemish Nazi supporters and reminds us why we must remain vigilant against political extremism.
www.the-low-countries.com
The Low Countries Radio is a podcast series, celebrating Flemish and Dutch history and culture, and its impact on the world today. The Low Countries Radio is a collaboration between Republic of Amsterdam Radio and the low countries website (www.the-low-countries.com).
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