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6:30 PM-9:30 PM
PLANETARY THINKING
Conversation and scenic reading | An Evening With David Van Reybrouck
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House of European History, Bruxelles
- Price Free admission
After the Goethe Medal was awarded to David Van Reybrouck in 2025, the Goethe-Institut Brussels and the German Embassy in Brussels invite the acclaimed Belgian historian to a conversation with German sociologist Simon Schaupp. Under the title Planetary Thinking, the discussion will explore new perspectives on democracy, ecology and social interdependence in an age of global challenges.
The Goethe Medal is the Federal Republic of Germany’s highest official distinction for outstanding contributions to international cultural relations. David Van Reybrouck received the award in recognition of his commitment to democratic innovation and his independent research which amplifies perspectives often overlooked in Western-dominated historiography.
Planetary Thinking: From raison d’état to raison de terre
Internationally renowned for his work on participatory democracy and colonial history, David Van Reybrouck has more recently focused on ecological questions and the climate crisis. In his latest book, De wereld en de aarde (The World and the Earth, 2025), he advocates for a form of planetary thinking that shifts the perspective from nation states to the Earth as a whole.
Arguing that global challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss can no longer be addressed by nation states alone, he calls for a new raison de terre and a form of planetary diplomacy capable of responding to challenges that affect humanity collectively.
Rethinking Democracy for a Planetary Age
David Van Reybrouck will be joined by Simon Schaupp, German sociologist and Research Professor at KU Leuven. Schaupp's work examines the relationship between labour, production and ecological transformation, asking how the transition to a sustainable society can be organised in ways that are both socially just and democratically accountable.
Bringing together perspectives from political thought, sociology and environmental debate, the conversation will explore what democratic renewal could look like in an age of planetary crises. The discussion will be moderated by Belgian journalist Nicky Aerts.
Zinc – The Extraordinary Story of a Territory Without a Nation
The conversation will be accompanied by a scenic reading based on a stage adaptation of David Van Reybrouck's novel Zinc (2016). Through the life of Joseph Rixen, born in 1903, the piece traces the turbulent history of Neutral Moresnet, a small zinc-rich territory in present-day East Belgium whose inhabitants saw their nationality repeatedly change as borders shifted around them. By linking personal biography with European history, Zinc explores how struggles over natural resources, political power, and economic interests leave their mark on individual lives.
Produced in cooperation with the Théâtre de Liège, the reading is inspired by a stage adaptation of Zinc by the Dublin-based theatre company Dead Centre, which premiered at the Théâtre de Liège in September 2026. The reading will feature Cathy Min Jung, Julie Mughunda, and Fabio Godinho. The full production will subsequently be presented at KVS Brussels on 31 March and 1 April 2027.
Exhibition Postcolonial? at the House of European History
Prior to the event, visitors are invited to visit the exhibition Postcolonial? at the House of European History, which examines Europe’s colonial legacy and its enduring relevance today.
Programme
18:15 Doors open
18:30 Visit to the exhibition Postcolonial? | House of European History
19:00 Welcome speeches by Dr. Constanze Itzel (Museum Director House of European History), Martin Kotthaus (German Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium) and Dr. Julia Sattler (Director Goethe-Institut Brussels)
19:15 Scenic reading from Zinc, in collaboration with Théâtre de Liège, performed by Cathy Min Jung, Julie Mughunda, and Fabio Godinho
19:45 Conversation with David Van Reybrouck and Prof. Dr. Simon Schaupp, moderated by Nicky Aerts
20:45 Reception
The conversation will be held in English. The reading will alternate between Flemish, French, English, and German.
A collaboration of the Goethe-Institut Brussels, the Germany Embassy in Brussels, the House of European History and the Théâtre de Liège.
An evening with:
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David Van Reybrouck is a historian and researcher in the field of democracy. Through the NGO G1000, he champions citizens’ assemblies across Europe and brings participatory democracy to life. His meticulously researched books on South Africa, the Congo and Indonesia bring marginalised voices to the fore and broaden our understanding of democracy and colonial history. Through his advocacy for new forms of democratic participation, he is a committed voice for the renewal of democratic processes. In 2025, David Van Reybrouck was awarded the Goethe Medal. His most recent publication is The World and the Earth (2025).
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Simon Schaupp is a social scientist whose research focuses on work, ecology and digitalisation. He is currently PBOFZAP Research Professor for Labour and Sustainability at KU Leuven. At the Frankfurt Institute for Social Research, he leads the project Ecological Obstinacy. He is also a fellow at the Centre for Global Cooperation Research and a partner in the Climate Adaptation Lab at La Trobe University, Australia. He is a member of the editorial board of the journal Work, Employment and Society His most recent book is Metabolic Politics: Work, Nature, and the Future of the Planet (Suhrkamp, 2024).
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Nicky Aerts is a Belgian journalist and radio presenter. She graduated as an English-German interpreter and went on to study acting at Kleine Academie in Brussels. In 1999, she found her niche at VRT, as presenter of the cultural radioshow De Kunstberg at Radio 3 (now Klara). She would never really leave there. She also presented programmes at Radio 1 and the VRT news service. She left for Berlin in 2009 for 4 years and added another 3 years in Jerusalem, from where she worked partly as a VRT correspondent. She learned Russian in Berlin, and Arabic in Jerusalem. Afterwards, she returned to Klara to present the cultural radioshow Pompidou together with network head Chantal Pattyn.
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Cathy Min Jung is an actress, director and theatre director. She studied at the Royal Conservatoire in Brussels and at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Arts in London. She has performed at various leading Belgian theatres and her artistic work explores themes such as identity, heritage, adoption and social responsibility. Since 2020, she has been the General Director and Artistic Director of the Rideau de Bruxelles. She appeared as an actress in the production ZINC by David Van Reybrouck and Dead Centre, which premiered on 19 September 2026 at the Théâtre de Liège.
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Julie Mughunda is an actress and theatre maker. After studying acting at RITCS in Brussels, she has worked in Belgium and the Netherlands, including as a regular guest artist with the music theatre collective DIEHELEDING. She also contributes to the writing and music. In her artistic work, she explores personal relationships with intimacy and heritage. She appeared as an actress in the production ZINC by David Van Reybrouck and Dead Centre, which premiered on 19 September 2026 at the Théâtre de Liège.
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Fábio Godinho studied acting at Cours Florent in Paris and theatre studies at Sorbonne Nouvelle University. His research focused on the exploration of acting and non-acting in Flemish theatre. Since then, he has worked across theatre, audiovisual media and the arts. In 2022, he co-founded the publishing house LUAR Éditions with his brother, Marco Godinho, and Keong-A Song. Its name means “moonlight” in Portuguese. He appeared as an actor in the production ZINC by David Van Reybrouck and Dead Centre, which premiered on 19 September 2026 at the Théâtre de Liège. He lives and works between Paris and Luxembourg.
Location
Rue Belliard 135
1040 Bruxelles
Belgium
