Sheila Sitalsing
(Suriname, 1968) is a journalist, writer, and economist. She writes books, essays and columns on politics and society. For eleven years, she wrote a widely read column in Dutch national daily newspaper de Volkskrant every other day, for which she was awarded the Heldring Prize for best columnist in the Netherlands. In 2024, she received an honorary doctorate from the University of Humanistic Studies. She wrote the political biography Mark, portret van een premier (2017; Mark, portrait of a prime minister) and compiled her columns about the COVID pandemic year 2020 in Dagboek van een krankzinnig jaar (Diary of a Mad Year). In 2025, her book Waar ik me voor schaam (What I am ashamed of) was published, a non-fictional, perceptive account of a search for the workings of intergenerational shame and totalitarian temptation.
Past events
Past Evils, Present Problems. Winternachten lecture by Susan Neiman
How do nations deal with their problematic pasts? Susan Neiman finds links between processing the past and the attitude of European states toward current challenges, such as the refugee crisis. After the lecture, a debate on this subject will take place.
Violence and Religion - Opening Lecture by Karen Armstrong
British author Karen Armstrong starts off with the 9th Winternachten Lecture. Her subject is violence and religion. What are the factors that lead to eruptions of violence and war? How can we live together peacefully despite religious and cultural differences? Is religion really a motive for the use of force? After the lecture, Sheila Sitalsing will be in conversation with Karen Armstrong. Dutch essayist Paul Scheffer and Egyptian writer Muhammad Aladdin will also take part in the discussion.
Like me. Please like me. Opening Lecture by Amin Maalouf
Guest of honour Amin Maalouf ponders the deeper layers and consequences of a simple request: Like me. The lecture is followed by a debate with Aminatta Forna, Fouad Laroui and Andrés Neuman chaired by Sheila Sitalsing. In English.
Surinamese dreams
‘I have a Dream!’ Noraly Beyer presents three Dutch/Surinamese authors (Karin Amatmoekrim, Anil Ramdas, Sheila Sitalsing), who will read a column inspired by the famous speech by the reverend King. What do the writers expect and hope for the future of Surinam? In Dutch.
