Exhibition opening: Picturing Scholasticide

Join us on November 10 for the opening of Picturing Scholasticide, an exhibition exploring the impact of the destruction of Palestinian higher education by Israel. Developed in collaboration with Palestinian photographers and web designers, the exhibition features photography, testimonies, and digital stories that highlight loss, resilience, and solidarity. During the opening, there will also be a Q&A with the organisers, offering the opportunity to discuss the project in depth.

Picturing Scholasticide is a multimodal exhibition initiated by staff and students at Leiden University to publicize the social and legal effects of Israel's effort to destroy Palestinian institutions of higher education. In partnership with Palestinian photographers and web designers, the exhibition aims to commemorate, build awareness, and support the rebuilding of education institutions in Gaza and across Palestine.

Through powerful photography, testimonies, and the curation of additional sources, the project aims not only to capture the devastation of physical buildings, essential infrastructure, and the human toll on staff and students, but also advocate for educational justice and the critical role of educational rights in Palestinian society.

Funding for this exhibition was provided through a KIEM grant from Leiden University.

Opening Programme

• 16:00 Doors open
• 16:30 - 16:35 Opening by Cleo Thomas (VOX-POP) and Marta Morvillo (Initator of this exhibition at VOX-POP and Associate Professor in European Legal and Economic Governance at the UvA)
• 16:35 - 17:10 Conversation with Wiebe Ruijtenberg, Elisa Da Vià and Henning Lahmann (Picturing Scholasticide Collective, Leiden University), moderated by Chiara de Cesari (Professor of Heritage, Memory and Cultural Studies UvA)
• 17:10 - 18:00 Drinks and exhibition visit

Opening hours

The exhibition is open from November 11 to November 24. VOX-POP is open Monday to Friday, 10:00–17:00. No registration is required to view the exhibition.