The theme of History Month was 'Real Fake', because media depictions, framing, deception and establishing the truth are timeless concepts. Even our own perception of history is constantly changing, swayed by the zeitgeist and driven by progressive insights. Our expertise lies precisely with these themes.
History Month recap
History Month took place during October, and together we made history! History weaves together almost every study programme and a large amount of research projects at the Faculty of Arts. About time to put it in the spotlight!
Dance like a Bridgerton
This month's big event was centered on living history. During lunch break on 16 October, the Erasmus building lobby was transformed into a ballroom. Dancers of historical court dancing association Les Précieuses Ridicules strolled through the hall carrying hand fans in their beautiful eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth century costumes. They performed several historical dances and later invited the audience to learn 'Upon a summer's day'. Study association TEA (previously GAG), the study association of English Language and Culture, was also present to serve tea and scones in gorgeous Regency gowns. Many Faculty of Arts students also participated in the Les Précieuses Ridicules dances. Historian Dries Raeymakers introduced the event.
The event did not go unnoticed: not only were the preparations captured on Radboud University's TikTok channel, the event was also visited by Omroep Gelderland and Vox. They interviewed the enthusiastic spectators and the organisers and questioned historian Dries Raeymakers about what aspects of Bridgerton's ballroom scenes are real or fake.
Not unnoticed
The event certainly did not go unnoticed: the court dancers attracted a lot of attention from both interested parties and casual passers-by on their way to class. It also generated attention outside the hall of the Erasmus building: not only were the preparations recorded on Radboud University's Tiktok channel, but Omroep Gelderland and Vox were also present. They interviewed the enthusiastic spectators and the initiators, and questioned historian Dries Raeymaekers about what is real or fake about the ball scenes from Bridgerton.
"This is just one more reason to study there"
The event also struck a chord with (prospective) students on social media. The announcement on Tiktok generated enthusiastic reactions, and even proved to be enough of a reason to choose to study at Radboud University (see image).
Real prizes
History also had its chance to shine on Instagram. Researchers Sándor Chardonnens, Dries Raeymakers and Charlotte Meijer talked about their research in 'real or fake' historical topics. Tickets to the Vrijheidsmuseum were given out as part of a competition. The museum is currently hosting an exposition on conspiracy theories in the past. For this exposition, honours students researched conspiracy theories in history and in the present.
History festival TOEN! in Nijmegen
History Month also led to a range of activities in other areas of Nijmegen. The theme of 'Schijnt bedriegt!' ('Appearances deceive') was also central to the TOEN festival of 19-27 October, which included a Spoken Word walk organised by the Radboud Institute for Culture and History. Thijs Kersten (campus poet), Simon Mamahit (city poet) and Lin an Phoa (spoken word artist) led the participants on a historical walk, along with RICH researchers Erika Manders, Jan Brabers and Stephan Mols.
Students' blogs
Finally, in our education we have been a collaborative partner of History Month for several years. For the Public History course in the Modern and Contemporary History master's track, students write blogs, the best of which are published the History Month's website.
Contact information
- Organizational unit
- Faculty of Arts
- Theme
- History
