Calvin College celebrates Dutch History Month

Calvin College celebrates Dutch History Month

Calvin College has planned a number of activities for April to celebrate a historic Dutch History Month. This year's celebration marks both the 500th birthday of theologian John Calvin and the 400th anniversary of the arrival of explorer Henry Hudson, who - sailing on behalf of the Dutch East Indies Company - discovered the Hudson River.

John Calvin's thought shaped the Reformed, Christian identity of Calvin College. Understanding those Reformed roots is important said Henk Aay, the coordinator of the Dutch History Month events.

"Calvin stems directly from that (Dutch) heritage and from the Dutch-American/Canadian subculture. Unless we give content and meaning to that heritage beyond a vague ethnicity, Calvin College and people of Dutch ancestry will lose their traditions," said Aay.

'Water Management in the Netherlands' will be the theme of this month's activities. Dr. Sybe Schaap, chairman of the Federation of Dutch Water Boards and a member of the national parliament, will be a special guest at Calvin from April 13-18. He will address the water management challenges that lie ahead for the Netherlands given the issues of global warming and a rise in sea level.

For a complete list of events and activities, see: http://www.calvin.edu/academic/dutch/heritage.html

Contact Henk Aay at 616-526-7033.
Received on Thu Mar 19 15:07:35 2009