Asselbergs says the organization is still working on finalizing the program. They’re planning for debates with Farah Karimi, director of Oxfam Novib, and PvdA chairman Hans Spekman – who recently called attention to all the hate mail he received through Facebook – among others.

Theatrical contributions include As I Left My Father’s House, Bruce Carew, and De Vrolijkheid (cheerfulness), and there’s cabaret from Iranian comedian Farbod Moghaddamen and Afghan comedian Dara Faiz. Author Kader Abdolar will give a lecture, and there will be musical performances by Galia, Rina Mishonga, and De Uitdaging (challenge). Documentaries will be screened throughout, and there will be two beautiful, poignant photo exhibitions by Henk Wildschut and Piet den Blanken.

An interview with former Prime Minister (1982-1994) and former High Commissioner for Refugees for the UN Ruud Lubbers is planned in the Blauwe Zaal of the Auditorium at 8.30PM. Since 2006, Lubbers has been chairman of the Foundation for Refugee Students (UAF).

The Vreemdland Festival is an initiative of the Jongerenhuis and Studium Generale, student association SSRE and the Eindhoven Student Church (ESK). Although some information can be found on the Vreemdland website already, the organization expects the full program to be known around February 10. The festival will open at 12.30PM and edn at 1.30AM. Admission is free, but it’s advisable to make reservations for certain events through www.vreemdlandeindhoven.nl.