The Aula
Image section Then-Now
Ab Flipse: "Not every VU alumnus will have memories of the Aula, the large hall at the heart of the main building. Yet for decades, this space has been the setting for academic ceremonies: the opening of the academic year, the Dies Natalis, inaugural lectures, farewell lectures and doctoral degree ceremonies. Anyone who never set foot in the Aula during their studies has, in fact, missed out on a part of academic life.
As early as the 1950s, when plans for a new VU campus were taking shape, there were already hopes for a large auditorium with room for around a thousand people. The programme of requirements statedthat this space should do justice to ‘the spectacular aspect of ceremonial events’. Until the main building opened in 1973, the university had to use venues across Amsterdam for its ceremonies."
"The new main building was given a distinctly Brutalist style, with plenty of exposed concrete. The Aula fitted in seamlessly. A remarkable organ appeared on the stage: built according to 18th-century French principles, it became known as the Couperin organ. The hall’s acoustics initially left much to be desired – one report spoke of ‘the sound of a cardboard box’ – but later modifications brought improvements.
During the opening ceremony on 12 April 1973, the VU student orchestra performed, as can be seen in the first photo. The second photo was taken 53 years later and shows the VU Chamber Choir during the Abraham Kuyper Lecture on 21 May 2026.
Over the years, the Aula has been the setting for countless ceremonies, concerts and special gatherings. For instance, the first major debate between political leaders and representatives of the peace movement took place here on 20 January 1981. International guests have also appeared there, including the Dalai Lama (1986), South African Vice President F.W. de Klerk (1995) and Archbishop Desmond Tutu (2008).
In short, the Aula is a venue steeped in history. In fact, every VU student should experience an event there at least once."
Ab Flipse has been a university historian since 2014. His mission is to research the history of VU Amsterdam and keep it alive for a wide audience. Although he is stationed at Humanities, he serves the entire university. He also teaches at various faculties, conducts research and supervises theses. On geheugenvandevu.nl, he talks about the history of VU Amsterdam.
magazine for social sciences and humanities alumni june 2026