Entrance to this programme is free of charge. For tickets, please email nieuwewereldkaart@balie.nl.

Be advised: the location for this programme is de Koninklijke Schouwburg (royal theatre) in The Hague.

Maps portray borders as absolutes. Countries seem to be very secure and stable on maps. This, however, does not always correspond with reality. The developments of the past fifteen years in the Balkan, and the gradual changes in Belgium, demonstrate that the information displayed on maps is quite relative. This should come as no surprise considering that the World Map is an ongoing manmade product. The independence of Kosovo and its subsequent recognition by other countries formed the incentive for De Balie to develop a new geographical World Map in cooperation with graphic artist Herman van Bostelen, cartographer Ferjan Ormeling and geographer Henk van Houtum.

De Balie will present the map during a challenging programme with art performances and interesting lectures. We welcome the following contributors: Thomas von der Dunk (cultural historian and publicist) looks back on border formation of the past eras in Europe, John Hulsman (expert in international relations, Alfred Oppenheim Scholar) evokes Thomas Edward Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) to draw lessons on state formation in the Middle East and Henk van Houtum (director of the Nijmegen Centre for Border Research, Radboud University) reflects on the conceptualisation of borders in people’s minds. Furthermore, arts duo Aussems & Atay perform Highlighting, light-artist Meeus van Dis displays a light show using maps while Herman van Bostelen (graphic artist, member of the Gorilla-group and designer of the map) explains how he created The New World Map.

Tickets for this very special event are available,  free of charge, by emailing nieuwewereldkaart@balie.nl

Programme about the Congolese borders. (Dutch only)

Programme about borders and cultural identities in Den Bosch. (Dutch only)