Programme

• 19:00 Doors open
• 19:30 Start Programme
  • Interview with professor Chiara de Cesari
  • Lecture by professor Marie-Louise Janssen on the stories of Aicha Bergamin & Nicolien van t Sant
  • Interview with retired sexworker/dominatrix Catherine
• 21:30 End of Programme
• Closing drinks

*We kindly request you to not take any pictures or video recordings of the speakers during this event.

Red Light Heritage

The Red Light District is an urban swamp of traditions, stories, and historical monuments that attained UNESCO heritage status. Heritage is commonly defined in terms significant aspects of culture belonging to a certain nation or community. Yet, the approach to heritage in terms of ownership is debated and is criticized to reinforce the agenda of powerful institutions. Who defines what remains from the past and we take into the future? 

The long historical presence of sex workers in the red light district aks for a tribute to these multiple interlaying histories and stories. Who’s inheritance is this neighborhood full of brothels, windows, peepshow(s), and entertainment? The area has always has been a haven for international agents, immigrant traders, or people who were repressed elsewhere and depended on sex work to survive. How does this trans local identity of the Wallen affects our conception of heritage? And what is the impact of UNESCO interventions and the expansion of heritage as a field of politics mean for the future of the neighborhood?

On the 20th of April we are back with a programme of Red Light Heritage in VOX-POP. During the public programme we will critically approach the working definition of heritage and its close relation with gentrification during a short interview with professor Chiara de Cesari. After, during a lecture by Marie-Louise Janssen, two stories will be highlighted: Aicha Bergamin, first trans woman owning a brothel in the district, and Nicolien van t Sant, first woman of color working in the district. We close the evening with an interview with retired sexwork & dominatrix Catherine.

P.S. This programme will also be the last one of Julia working for VOX-POP. Come have a drink with her after the programme to wave her goodbye!