Symposium:   "From Hinterland to Europapa: Identity and Placemaking in Dutch Popular Music Culture 

In collaboration with The Research School for Media Studies and The Radboud Institute for Culture & History (RICH)  IASPM Benelux is organizing a symposium at Radboud University:

"From Hinterland to Europapa: Identity and Placemaking in Dutch Popular Music Culture 

 

When:  25 October 2024 14.00 – 17.00 (plus drinks afterwards) 
Where:  Radboud University Nijmegen, Elinor Ostrom building; Room EOS N 01.610 (Heyendaalseweg 141, 6525 AJ Nijmegen

Coordinator: Prof. dr Melanie Schiller (RU) 

Co-Organizers: Dr. Laurens Ham (UU) and Maarten Zwiers (RUG) 
Credits:  PhD Candidates, RMa students who are a member of RMeS or another national research school have the opportunity of receiving 1 ECTS or 2 ECTS: see instructions below. 

Organized in collaboration with IASPM Benelux and The Radboud Institute for Culture & History (RICH)  

Registration required: VIA THIS LINK

 

During the symposium "From Hinterland to Europapa: Identity and Placemaking in Dutch Popular Music Culture," we will explore the intricate interplay between music, identity, and place in the Netherlands. This symposium will delve into various facets of how popular music shapes and reflects cultural identities, emphasizing the contrasts and connections between rural and urban contexts. 

Key Topics: 

  • Music and Identity Negotiations: Examining how Dutch popular music contributes to the construction and expression of individual and collective identities. 

  • Placemaking through Music: Investigating the role of music in creating and redefining spaces, with a focus on how musical practices influence perceptions of place. 

  • Rural vs. Urban Identifications: Exploring the cultural dynamics between rural and urban identities in Dutch music, and how these distinctions are articulated and bridged. 

  • Singing in Vernacular and Local Dialects: Analyzing the significance of using local dialects and vernacular in music, and its impact on cultural authenticity and identity. 

  • The Politics of Music: Understanding the political implications and power structures inherent in the production and dissemination of popular music in the Netherlands. 

  • Media’s Role in Identity and Placemaking: Investigating how media platforms, such as Dutch music TV station TMF, influence the negotiation of identities and the representation of place within Dutch popular music culture. 

The speakers will discuss examples ranging from protest songs by the farmers movement and artists known for their rural dialect songs, to Joost Klein's Eurovision entry, as well as the role of hip hop in urban identity formation in the Dutch context. 

This event brings together scholars from various disciplines including media studies, cultural studies, American studies, linguistics and Dutch studies to discuss and dissect the vital role of popular music in shaping Dutch cultural landscapes. The symposium promises to offer rich insights and foster meaningful dialogue on the cultural, political, and media dimensions of Dutch popular music. 

 

Speakers:  

Laurens Ham (Utrecht Universiteit) 

Aurelie Joubert + Merel Lobo (Rijksuniversiteit Groningen) 

Jaap Kooijman (Universiteit van Amsterdam) 

Aafje de Roest (Leiden Universiteit) 

Melanie Schiller (Radboud Universiteit) 

Maarten Zwiers (Rijksuniversiteit Groningen) 

 

Readings: 

  • To be announced 

Credits and assignments: 

To receive the 1EC credit students prepare the literature provided and actively participate in the event (preparing questions for the speakers). For 2EC, students additionally write a short reflection (max 1000 words) on the topic of the event (pass/fail). This text reflects what they have learned/were inspired by during the symposium. Please send it to Prof. dr. Melanie.Schiller[at]ru.nl by November 1st the latest. 

Photo: author LARS LUNDQVIST/Arkland. Source: Wikimedia. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.