Please note that the main language of this presentation is Dutch.
Programme
2.30pm-3.00pm Doors open
3.00pm-3.05pm Word of welcome by honorary chairman Dr Jan Hein Furnée, chairman of the Cultural History Expertise Group (RU)
3.05pm-3.10pm Word of welcome by Dr Liedeke Plate, director of the Radboud Institute for Culture and History
3.10pm-3.25pm ‘Living’ with Anna Terruwe – short introduction by author Marit Monteiro
3.25pm-3.45pm Presentation of first copy to Dr Jolande Withuis
3.45pm-3.50pm Presentation of second copy to the board of the Dr Anna Terruwe Foundation
3.50pm-4.00pm Embargo lifted: Terruwe's archive publicised. Archivist Ramses Peters of the Catholic Documentation Centre explains
4.00pm-5.30pm Closing and celebratory drinks
About the biography
During her work as a mental health professional, Anna Terruwe came into conflict with religious authorities in the late 1940s. The issue was the moral responsibility of Catholics with mental health problems. Was it limited? And who determined those limits: priests or psychiatrists? Monteiro analyses Terruwe’s position and role in this conflict, in which she managed to assert herself as an expert social worker in the face of religious pressure.
Terruwe then made a name for herself as the founder of the ‘theory of affirmation’. This revolves around honest mutual attention through which people can strengthen each other’s sense of self-worth. With her lectures, publications and her practice, Terruwe attracted prominent supporters and thousands of listeners, readers and clients.
Monteiro tracked down new sources, including pieces Terruwe explicitly wanted to keep out of her archive. These highlight Anna Terruwe’s relationship with her teacher and mentor Willem Duynstee. He wrote extensive reports on ‘communications’ thought to be received from Jesus. Monteiro shows how functional these ‘communications’ were for Terruwe’s professional ambitions and her position as a Catholic psychiatrist in a secularising society.
About the author
Marit Monteiro is Professor of Cultural and Religious History in the department of History, Art History and Classics at Radboud University.
About the commissioners
This academic biography was commissioned by the Dr Anna Terrude Foundation and the Faculty of Arts of Radboud University. The research and writing process was carried out within the Radboud Institute for Culture and History (RICH) and was supervised by a scientific advisory committee.
About Anna Terruwe’s archive
The Terruwe archive is owned by the Dr Anna Terruwe Foundation. It is housed and managed by the Katholieke Documentatie Centrum (Catholic Documentation Centre) (KDC). After the final documents from Terruwe’s estate were settled in spring 2024, the list providing access to the archive could be finalised and published. Access to the archive requires the owner’s permission, which can be requested through the KDC.
About the publisher
Amsterdam University has over thirty years of experience in publishing high-quality scholarly and educational publications. Leven voor een leer can be ordered here, the Open Access version can be downloaded via the AUP site and via Radboud Repository.
