VUB and ULB honor five Brussels cultural icons with joint honorary doctorates

VUB and ULB honor five Brussels cultural icons with joint honorary doctorates

At Bozar, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and the Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB) have jointly awarded honorary doctorates for social merit to Stromae, Ever Meulen, François Schuiten, Amélie Nothomb, and Lize Spit. With this choice, both universities honor artists and authors who portray, question, and promote Brussels in a unique way on the international stage.

As open, urban universities, VUB and ULB aim to send a strong signal at a time when academic freedom and freedom of expression are under pressure. According to both institutions, art, imagination, and critical reflection are indispensable to a democratic and open society. By jointly honoring five Brussels voices, they emphasize dialogue, collaboration, and connectedness across linguistic and disciplinary boundaries.

Each of the laureates highlights the cosmopolitan character of the capital in their own way. Through his music, Stromae addresses themes such as identity, diversity, and mental health, reaching a global audience. Ever Meulen and François Schuiten give Brussels a visual identity that balances heritage, the future, and poetry. In their literary work, Amélie Nothomb and Lize Spit show how Brussels is fertile ground for creativity, engagement, and imagination.

According to VUB rector Jan Danckaert, this series of honorary doctorates reflects the close connection between science and culture: both create new perspectives and help us better understand the world. ULB rector Annemie Schaus emphasized the shared commitment of both universities to freedom of expression, critical thinking, and social engagement. With this joint celebration, VUB and ULB underscore their role as progressive, multilingual, and engaged institutions at the heart of Brussels.

Read more (only in Dutch)