From 16 to 19 November, VUB is organising Compassionate Week. These days invite us to take a moment together to reflect on themes that affect us all: serious illness, grief, death, loss and caring for others. Take part in inspiring seminars, write a card to offer comfort, or drop by the “Compassionate Café”. There is also the annual Moment of Comfort, where we come together to remember those we have lost, those who are seriously ill, and everyone who cares for others.

Programme

Monday 16 November

11.30 am – 2.00 pm: Film screening & panel discussion: “Achter de tralies van de tijd”
📍 VUB Main Campus, Etterbeek, I 2.03
Description: Since the pandemic, older prisoners with care needs have been accommodated in a separate unit at Merksplas Prison. Hidden away behind high walls, this often-overlooked group faces very specific needs that a traditional prison structure is not equipped to address. In the documentary Achter de tralies van de tijd, director Stijn Geenen portrays their daily lives and follows the healthcare professionals who, despite a severe lack of resources, strive to make a human difference every day. Following the screening, a panel discussion will explore the questions and themes raised by the documentary in greater depth. Together, we will reflect on the challenges surrounding (palliative) care in prisons, policy, and what a compassionate community for this group could look like in the future.
Language: Dutch. In collaboration with: SARLab & PALD

7.00 pm: Film screening: Taste of Cherry
📍 VUB Main Campus, Etterbeek, Pilar Box
Description: During Compassionate Week, Pilar will screen Taste of Cherry (1997), Abbas Kiarostami’s dreamlike, contemplative film. Middle-aged Mr Badii wants to end his life in a society where suicide is considered unacceptable. As he drives through the hills surrounding Tehran, he searches for someone willing to bury him after his death. Along the way, he meets a range of different people, but each has their own reasons for refusing his request. Taste of Cherry explores what is difficult to put into words: grief and loss, but also human connection, and the need to get to know and understand one another. Compassion. And ultimately, what it means to be human.
In collaboration with: Pilar
More info

Tuesday 17 November

12.00 – 1.30 pm: Onbespreekbaar (with lunch)
📍Location to be confirmed Description: An interactive session with Nicolas from the Onbespreekbaar podcast about how we, as a VUB community, deal with loss. We will also reflect on how to cope with living loss and on saying goodbye before we are actually confronted with it. The talk is an open conversation that leaves room for recognition, questions and connection.
Language: Dutch
No registration required.
In collaboration with: Study Guidance

5.00 – 6.00 pm: “Caring Together” Workshop
📍 VUB Main Campus, Etterbeek, D.3.05 (NL) en D.3.06 (EN)
Description: Looking for a boost to your wellbeing and a stronger sense of community at our university? Then be sure to join our "We Care"-session! Here you will discover valuable insights and practical tools to better support one another and help create a positive and inclusive university community. Together, we can make the VUB-community stronger and warmer! Why participate? Get insight: Learn more about mental health and wellbeing within the university community and discover how they can influence your studies, your work and your everyday life. Skill up: Get tips on how to recognise signs of mental health problems in yourself and others and discover how to start conversations in a caring and respectful way when you are concerned about someone. Create a warm environment: Receive practical tips on how to create an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone feels welcome, connnected and safe. Self-care: Discover why self-care is essential and learn how to maintain healthy boundaries while caring for others.
Language: Two parallel workshops will take place, one in Dutch and one in English No registration required.
In collaboration with: Study Guidance

Wednesday 18 November

Compassionate Cards
📍 VUB Main Campus, Etterbeek, Esplanade: 11.00 am - 1.00 pm
📍 VUB Health Campus, Jette , Esplanade: 12.00 pm - 3.00 pm
Description: Write a card for someone you miss or would like to support. You can also leave a ribbon on our “tree of comfort”. Cards and postage are free of charge

7.00 – 8.15 pm: Voices of Compassion
📍 VUB Main Campus, Etterbeek, LIC Theater
Description: This evening is dedicated to mourning and healing through texts, poems, stories, and songs, in any language. Members of the VUB community and beyond will share their work or the work of others that promotes compassion in the face of loss. This evening of music and poetry promises to be an unforgettable experience, one you definitely don't want to miss!
In collaboration with: the Linguistics and Literary Studies programmes and the Centre for Literary and Intermedial Crossings (CLIC)

Call for participants
Share your voice at Voices of Compassion Share a poem, story or song about mourning, loss and comfort, in any language. Bring your own work or someone else’s, perform it yourself or let us read it aloud (anonymously). You’re also welcome to join on the night without signing up in advance!

Thursday 19 November 12.15 – 1.00 pm: Moment of Comfort
📍 VUB Main Campus, Etterbeek, Monument of Comfort
Description: Since 2019, VUB has come together each year to remember everyone we have lost, those who are seriously ill, and all those who care for others. During the annual Moment of Comfort, we gather at the Monument of Comfort for a quiet ceremony. We listen to several short speeches, including a message from the Rector, interspersed with appropriate music. Afterwards, there is an opportunity to come together, enjoy a warm bowl of soup and make time for heart-warming conversations at @Bar Buna.

5.00 – 8.00 pm: Compassionate Café & Reception
📍 VUB Main Campus, Etterbeek, Bar Buna
Description: To bring Compassionate Week to a close, you are warmly invited to the Compassionate Café. This gathering offers an opportunity to unwind in a warm and informal atmosphere, share memories or simply have an open conversation about topics such as loss, grief and caring for others.
No registration required.