Rosita Steenbeek to deliver the 2027 Loe de Jong lecture: 'Knowledge of the past is fundamental to understanding the present'
Author Rosita Steenbeek will deliver the Loe de Jong lecture in 2027, focusing on the importance of historical knowledge in understanding contemporary issues. The lecture series, named after the prominent historian and Holocaust chronicler Loe de Jong, is held annually during the Holocaust Education Conference to promote education and combat antisemitism.
Author Rosita Steenbeek has been selected to deliver the Loe de Jong lecture in March 2027 during the Holocaust Education Conference. Known for her literary works exploring family history and wartime experiences, Steenbeek emphasizes that understanding the past is essential for recognizing the dangers of modern-day indifference and dehumanization. Her appointment was welcomed by Eddo Verdoner, the National Coordinator for Combating Antisemitism, who noted her unique perspective on the importance of commemoration.
The lecture series, established in 2025, is named after the renowned historian Loe de Jong. A Jewish journalist who fled Amsterdam for London during the war, De Jong lost many family members to persecution and later became the director of what is now known as the NIOD Institute for War, Holocaust and Genocide Studies. He is best remembered for his definitive fourteen-volume work chronicling the history of the Netherlands during the Second World War. This upcoming lecture continues the tradition of addressing critical issues surrounding Holocaust education and the fight against antisemitism.
Based on reporting by parool. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.
