Datum: maandag 14 – vrijdag 18 september 2026 (volledig bezet)
'Rituals create a shelter in time,' writes philosopher Byung-Chul Han. In turbulent times and at important (life) moments, they offer us a foothold and a structure to be in. What a house does for us with space, rituals do with time. They help us to stand still. So that we can go on, strengthened.
Rituals come in all shapes and sizes: from fixed customs during holidays to the candle you light for someone with some regularity, from liturgical acts to a carefully designed farewell to a pet.
What exactly the ritual does to those involved is not fixed. Everyone can experience something entirely unique during a ritual. But it does have an important function: a moment is marked and charged with meaning.
During this midweek we live along to the rhythm of the monastery, in itself a structure of rituals!
In addition:
- we pay attention to what rituals are
- Discover how to use rituals in a variety of places
- we exchange which rituals are important to us
- explore and name the rituals of Nijkleaster and Klooster Westerhûs
- we playfully design new rituals and . perform them!
- if you wish, you can get feedback on your self-devised ritual for an occasion or event you would like to mark meaningfully
The midweek retreat will be led by Pauline Kuijper and Sietske Visser. Pauline first came to Nijkleaster because she was researching the kleasterkuier ritual as part of her Ritual Facilitator training at the University of Humanistic Studies. She enjoys sharing her enthusiasm about the interaction between ritual and (daily) life with others. Sietske is one of the initiators of Nijkleaster and lives at Klooster Westerhûs. As a visual thinker, she sees creative possibilities everywhere.