STAD_HUIS On Tour: sofa chat with Ta-nehisi Coates & Remo Verdickt

Researcher Remo Verdickt will talk to author Ta-nehisi Coates about his book “The Message”. Afterwards, you will have the opportunity to ask questions.

Following in the footsteps of George Orwell, Ta-Nehisi Coates explores how our realities are exposed. At the same time, our realities are distorted by reporting, fiction, myth-making and the stories we tell or conceal. In his book “The Message”, Ta-Nehisi explores the power of stories.

He visits three places where conflict reigns: In Dakar, Senegal, he encounters two different realities: a modern Senegalese city and the ghost town of his imagination. In Columbia, South Carolina, he visits the place where his own books are banned and the myths that America tells about itself visibly live on. In Palestine, he sees the tragedy that arises when the stories told clash with the reality of everyday life.
Publisher: Bot Publishers

Translation: Adiëlle Westercappel and Fannah Palmer

Ta-Nehisi Coates

Ta-Nehisi Coates is a writer and journalist. His book Between the World and Me won the National Book Award and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. Coates currently holds the Sterling Brown Endowed Chair at Howard University.

Remo Verdickt

Remo Verdickt is a member of the English Literature research group at KU Leuven. As a researcher, he immersed himself in the work and life of James Baldwin. He is a freelance journalist for De Standaard der Letteren.

• When: Monday, 10 November 2025, from 5 to 6.30 p.m.
• Where: STUK Auditorium, Naamsestraat 96 in Leuven (view on map(external link))
• Language: Conversation in English
• Price: Pay what you can:
  • €10
  • €12 (suggested price)
  • €14
  • €2.40 with UiTPAS with reduced rate
  • Free with student card (reserve a ticket in advance)
• Accessibility
  • The venue is wheelchair accessible
  • There is a lift
  • More about accessibility Paul van Ostaijen website
• This sofa conversation is part of the STAD_HUIS On Tour programme in collaboration with the City of Leuven, KU Leuven Faculty of Arts, 30CC, Bot publishers and LOV2030.

Did you know that Leuven's iconic town hall is temporarily closed for restoration? That's why we're bringing this inspiring meeting place to you. At various locations throughout the city, we invite you to reflect, engage in dialogue and take action.

This autumn's theme is “democracy”. Because democracy is something you create yourself, every day. And sitting still is certainly not an option today. Turn inspiration into action or speak up yourself during an event.

On the programme:

• sofa conversations “Thinkers on democracy”,
• documentaries “The Five of Vranckx”,
• duo lectures “From parchment to participation”,
• exhibition “The Democracy Factory” for schools,
• and an innovation lab for young people “Future Generation Lab”.