Oppression and Freedom

Freedom is not something we can take for granted. In its thematic programme ‘Oppression and Freedom’, Leiden University Libraries (UBL) has explored views on identity, relations and the interaction between individuals and groups in the past. The programme included several (online) exhibitions, workshops and lectures on the subject of oppression and freedom. In addition, blogs, videos and podcasts have been produced relating to items in Special Collections.

Exhibitions

Two exhibitions on oppression and freedom were planned for 2020. In January the exhibition The Intolerant Republic opened, on the boundaries between ‘us’ and ‘them’ and the intolerance and aggression in early modern Netherlands. The online exhibition, Choices in Wartime, opened in October 2020 and dealt with the end of WWII in the Netherlands 75 years ago. Both exhibitions were accompanied by a series of (online) lectures.