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Van Gogh Europe organised its first inaugural seminar on Thursday 25 May. The event was entitled Art, Culture and Mental Well-b Being.
Alain van der Horst, Chair of Van Gogh Europe, opened the seminar. Friso Wijnen, Head of Culture and Communications at the Dutch Embassy in Paris, was next to take the floor. Held at Atelier Néerlandais in Paris, this special exploratory event has its roots in the educational collaboration that the network began with the ISC Paris Business School in 2019, and with KU Leuven (Brussels) in 2021.

A number of speakers from all Van Gogh Europe countries explored the event’s theme from various perspectives. The speakers included culture, well-being and mindfulness expert Jolien Posthumus (Museum van de Geest ), professors Sabine Bacouel-Jentjens (ISC Paris Business School) and Ingrid Molderez (KU Leuven), Belgian students Mara Temmerman, Ione Feys and Amelie Ruts, artist and educator Clémentine Bedos (on behalf of Van Gogh House London) and Head of Education & Interpretation Gundy van Dijk (Van Gogh Museum). Composer and producer Kelian Portilla provided the musical accompaniment to the seminar. Project Manager Sarah Dekker (Van Gogh Europe/Van Gogh Museum) organised the seminar and was the moderator on the day.

Following the morning programme, guests visited Musée d’Orsay, where researcher Carla Tomé introduced the party to her latest findings in the field of museum therapy. The day was concluded with a special guided tour and reception at Fondation Custodia, where guests viewed several of Vincent van Gogh’s letters. All 23 Van Gogh Europe partners were in attendance, as well as the network’s main contacts from home and abroad.

A total of 23 heritage locations and museums in the Netherlands, Belgium, France and the United Kingdom have united in the Van Gogh Europe network. These organisations work together to preserve and jointly promote Van Gogh’s legacy. Van Gogh Europe has grown rapidly in recent years, welcoming many new partners .