Festivities, Roundtables, Open Days: Looking Back at IIAS’ 30th Anniversary
In October 2023, the International Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS) commemorated its 30th anniversary. To mark the occasion, we welcomed colleagues and the public to our home in Leiden for two days of engaged discussions, cultural performances, interactive workshops, and delicious foods. Through collaborative exchange, mutual institutional support, and critical analysis, IIAS promotes humanistic and social scientific research across its various platforms, from conferences to The Newsletter, from book publications to public lectures, from research fellowships to intensive graduate workshops. In many ways, the October 12-13 events reflected and exemplified the spirit of an institute committed to building new communities of knowledge collaboration. On this spread, we feature a collage of photographs from those celebrations. Thanks to everyone who participated and made our anniversary such an enjoyable experience!
Fig. 2: Custom cake served at the
IIAS Open Day, October 13, 2023.
Fig. 3: Colleagues from around the world and distinguished members of the Leiden University community listen to presentations highlighting the various platforms and programs of IIAS, October 13, 2023.
Fig. 4: Exhibitions during the October 13 Open Day highlighted some of IIAS’ key research and teaching initiatives.
Fig. 5: Partners and guests enjoying the food festival along the Rapenburg, October 13, 2023.
Fig. 6: Program schedule for the IIAS Open Day, on display in the entryway of Rapenburg 59, October 13, 2023.
Fig. 7: Program schedule for the IIAS Open Day, on display in the entryway of Rapenburg 59, October 13, 2023.
Fig. 8: Visitors enjoy a selection of Asian snacks from a food truck on the Rapenburg, October 13, 2023.
Fig. 9: A curated selection of tea awaits visitors at the welcome table, October 13, 2023.
Fig. 10: Colleagues gather for a public roundtable entitled “Decolonizing Area Studies: An Open Conversation,” at the Stadsgehoorzaal, October 12, 2023.
Fig. 11: Colleagues gather for a public roundtable entitled “Decolonizing Area Studies: An Open Conversation,” at the Stadsgehoorzaal, October 12, 2023.
Fig. 12: Participants enjoy a workshop on Filipino dancing, October 13, 2023.
Fig. 13: Musicians perform music from Central Asia, October 13, 2023.
Fig. 14: A group of singers and musicians perform a selection of music from Bengal, October 13, 2023.
Fig. 15: Hester Bijl, Rector Magnificus at Leiden University, addresses visitors at the Open Day, reiterating the close connection between IIAS and the university, October 13, 2023.