Lecture “Old Sea, New Land” by author Eva Vriend
On November 19, author Eva Vriend will give a lecture titled “Old Sea, New Land” at the Hollands Noorderkwartier Water Board (HHNK) in Heerhugowaard. Drawing on her books *Het nieuwe land* (*The New Land*), *Eens ging de zee hier tekeer* (*Once the Sea Raged Here*), and *Het eiland van Anna* (*Anna’s Island*), she will take the audience on a journey through the fascinating and extraordinary story of the Zuiderzee Project, which also had a significant impact on our management area. The lecture will be held at both 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Learning from the Past
Flevoland was created as the world’s largest polder. Progress and safety set the course. The new residents had to conform to the mold of social engineering. In times of nitrogen pollution, declining biodiversity, and the climate crisis, this unique history of the polder offers a surprising and instructive perspective on current issues. What lessons can we learn from the polder engineers, and in what ways does their legacy invite us to take a different look at the malleability of land, nature, and society? Water Board Member Klazien Hartog: “As water managers, we are constantly looking ahead, but by also looking to the past, we can draw valuable lessons. Choices made back then still have an impact on the challenges we face today. Eva Vriend knows better than anyone how to bring the history of the Zuiderzee and the land reclamation projects to life.”
Start
The lecture will take place on Thursday, November 19, 2026, at the water board’s headquarters, Stationsplein 136, 1703 WC Heerhugowaard. It begins at 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., and the lecture lasts about an hour. Admission is free. Due to limited parking, we recommend traveling by public transportation or by bicycle. Those interested can register for the lecture via the links below.
Registration for the lecture at 3:00 p.m.
Registration for the lecture at 7:00 p.m.
Afterward, you can visit our “Waterschat” museum space, which features the highlights of our collection of art and everyday objects. A free audio tour is available for you to listen to.
