Brussels universities to honour Stromae, Lize Spit and Amélie Nothomb with doctorates
The Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) announced on Monday that Stromae, Lize Spit, Amélie Nothomb, François Schuiten and Ever Meulen will be honoured with joint honorary doctorates from VUB and the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) on 4 December at Bozar.
Celebrating creativity and freedom of thought
With these awards, the two Brussels universities are recognising the “excellence” and “creativity” of these “remarkable personalities.” The honorary doctorates highlight the universities’ shared commitment to “transcend linguistic and disciplinary boundaries” and to honour individuals who, through their work and values, “promote freedom of thought, critical thinking, and social engagement, as well as knowledge, imagination, and discovery.”
Literary voices
Author Lize Spit, known for her bestselling novel Het Smelt, will be recognised for her contribution to Brussels’ cultural and social life. “Her novels, which poignantly address personal themes such as identity, family, and vulnerability, have not only reached a wide readership but also fuelled public debate. As a lecturer and columnist, she champions reflection, expression, and education – values that closely align with the mission of both universities,” the statement read.
Fellow author Amélie Nothomb will receive an honorary doctorate for her “unique literary voice” and the central role that Brussels plays in her writing. “Free, precise, sensitive, and independent are adjectives that characterise her work, which embodies the values of freedom of expression, critical thought, and intellectual curiosity,” the universities said.
Visual artists and illustrators recognised
Visual artist François Schuiten is being honoured for his “exceptional artistic contribution” and his ability to create imaginative worlds where reality and fantasy meet, with Brussels often serving as a central theme.
Illustrator Ever Meulen (Eddy Vermeulen) will receive the honorary doctorate for his role as a “visual ambassador for Brussels.” The universities noted that “through his work, Vermeulen has depicted the city in a recognisable and critical way, thereby contributing to its cultural identity.”
Stromae’s Universal Language
Finally, Paul Van Haver, better known as Stromae, will also be awarded an honorary doctorate. “Stromae’s oeuvre represents freedom of creation, authenticity, and the courage to transform societal tensions into art. Brussels, multilingual and multifaceted, is an inexhaustible source of inspiration in this regard,” VUB and ULB said. “His work unites music, image, and emotion in a language that speaks universally.”
Belgian singer and composer Stromae performs on stage during the 37th Victoires de la Musique, the annual French music awards ceremony, at the Seine Musicale concert hall in Boulogne-Billancourt, on the outskirts of Paris, on February 11, 2022. © PHOTO BERTRAND GUAY / AFP
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