Dear Culture enthusiast,
We will soon be concluding an eventful year. Much has already been said and written about the pandemic and indeed, it has had a major impact on Culture & Events as well. There have also been more cancellations on campus than experiences. No Batavierenfeest, festivals and physical Kick-In, almost no performances, courses, workshops and exhibition openings anymore and only a few association members who could attend a rehearsal. In terms of our cultural programme, events and activities, a quiet and sad picture of 2020 dominates.
However, last year we also displayed flexibility, adaptability and resilience, and after each set of new measures we re-evaluated the possibilities for the cultural associations together with the Cultural umbrella organisation Apollo. Unfortunately, we have had to disappoint many people: Visitors to performances, members of cultural associations and organisers of events and activities, everyone with their own interpretation of the measures.
Soon, 2021 will begin. Probably first in the same tenor as the end of 2020, but hopefully quickly with light at the end of the tunnel. There will undoubtedly be a time again of new things that can be done and, as the year progresses, we will hopefully be able to slowly open the cultural valve again. We are going to restart, and that is a better prospect than cancelling or dismantling to be honest. The new vision Culture of the university will steer us in the right direction in the coming years and during the course of time we will also gain sufficient experience with the online streaming of activities.
Anyway, there is a lot to experience and create in the future. I am already looking forward to the anniversary year of the UT with new, exciting initiatives, activities and events and the cooperation with the service departments and faculties of the UT, new artists and exhibitors. It's bright on the horizon!
On behalf of CFM Culture & Events of the University of Twente, I wish everyone happy holidays and a healthy, cultural 2021!
Mark Weirath
Manager Culture & Events, University of Twente
