Genootschap Nederland Engeland

History of GNE

The GNE was founded in 1920 in the period after World War I, when Duch industrialists and politicians were particularly keen to strengthen ties with Great Britain. At the time there also existed "the English Association in Holland" which was about half a year older. The two societies merged in 1946 and since then we only speak of the Genootschap Nederland-Engeland, GNE for short. The aims of GNE as defined in 1920 were defined as follows:
"To promote friendly relations between Holland and the British Empire, chiefly by making England and the English point of view in politics, literature, science and art more widely known in Holland".
Read the following introduction from Sir David Miers KBE CMG (then British Ambassador to the Netherlands) on a book about GNE (1920-1995).

`In this 75th anniversary year of the Genootschap, it is with particular pleasure that I welcome this fascinating work on its history. The author (ir. M. Hugenholtz MBE) is to be congratulated on his accomplishment. He has been thwarted by the absence of so many earlier records, assumed to be in Russia and not immediately retrievable. But Martin Hugenholtz has produced with much patience and good humour a vivid picture of the Society`s past built up from the material available to him, supported by Tom Landheer`s valuable contribution on its present-day activity. I am sure that all readers, both Genootschap members and potential members, will find it as compelling a read as I have.

I note well that in earlier times the British Ambassador was not patron of the Genootschap. Since my arrival at The Hague, I have valued both the work of the Genootschap in Netherlands-British relations and the friendship of so many of its members in all parts of the country. I wish the GNE a healthy future, admiring its vision for a strengthened and broadened membership and activities towards its l00th birthday in 2020`.
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Lectures

During the GNE lecture season, talks are given about once a month and unless otherwise stated, these are delivered in English. The visiting speakers are all experts in their chosen fields and their lectures are both informative and entertaining. They may feature different aspects of British life, arts and culture, places and people. Occasionally we are also treated to a traveller`s tale. Wherever possible, lectures are illustrated.
An overview of this year`s programme is given below. For more details on the talks please click talks. For the full programme with dates, venues and entry fees per branch, please click branches.
John Pilkington: A Stroll through the Axis of Evil
John`s talk is titled `A Stroll through the Axis of Evil`; Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Iran are in the news for all the wrong reasons. Starting in Beirut, John will unravel a picture quite different to the news stories as he followed a winding route via the Euphrates, the Caucasus and the Valley of the Assassins to finish on the Persian Gulf. John Pilkington has been called “one of Britain’s greatest tellers of travellers’ tales”. Read more...
John Gilroy: Tyger, Tyger or The Rime of the Ancyent Marinere
John Gilroy retired from his post as Senior Lecturer in English at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge in 2005, but still teaches in its department part-time. He also teaches for the University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education on both its residential courses and its international summer schools for which he is a course director.
John has lectured widely in Britain and internationally for organisations such as The English-Speaking Union, ‘Inscape’ Fine Art Tours and for GNE. He specialises in literature of the Romantic period and has published on Wordsworth, Gerard Manley Hopkins and Philip Larkin. His latest book, ‘Romantic Literature’, for the new York Connections series will appear in 2010.
Read more...
Julian Paren: A photographic evening: The Antarctic Experience or The global climate change
Julian has a choice of three talks:
1. A photographic evening:  Going South  - the Antarctic Experience
2. The global climate challenge
3. Exploring the islands and western coast of Scotland
Read more...
Andy Thomas: Exploring Unexplained Mysteries, Global Cover-Ups and 2012 Prophecies
Andy is a leading researcher into unexplained mysteries and is the world’s most prolific writer on crop circles. His many books include Vital Signs, described widely as the definitive guide to the circle phenomenon. His newest and much acclaimed title, The Truth Agenda, explores the link between paranormal mysteries and global cover-ups.
Read more...
Lawrence Goldman: Dutch Connection in British History: Dutch Lives in the Oxford Dictionary of Nat Biography
The illustrated lecture uses the Dictionary as a means of exploring the historic connections between Britain and the Netherlands in both directions, examining the Dutch who came to live and work in Britain from the Reformation onwards, and Britons who visited the Low Countries. Read more...