Jan Balliauw & Caroline De Gruyter & Melissa Giardini
-
Sat 25.0713:30 - 15:30De Vooruit, GentTHEATERZAAL
Rang 1 Volwassenen € 24,00
As the guns roar in Ukraine and Donald Trump’s shadow falls across the Atlantic
Ocean, the foundations of our security are shaking. Is Europe ready to stand on its own two feet,
or are we paralysed by fear of what lies ahead?
During the Ghent Festivities, we bring together two of the sharpest minds in the Low Countries
for a conversation you won’t see on television. Russia expert Jan Balliauw and Europe
correspondent Caroline de Gruyter dissect the new world order under the expert guidance
of Melissa Giardina.
The threat from Russia: Jan Balliauw analyses what Putin aims to achieve in Europe with his invasion
of Ukraine, and what consequences this has for Russia’s own backyard. What is the current state of affairs in
the war with Ukraine? Will this become a frozen conflict?
The ‘Trump paralysis’: Caroline de Gruyter delves into the European psyche. Why does Brussels not dare to
contradict the US, and what will happen if the American umbrella is finally closed?
The price of chaos: Does Putin benefit from the escalation in the Middle East, or will
global instability ultimately turn against him?
This is no casual chat, but an in-depth search for answers in a time of
existential crisis. What will the map of Europe look like in five years’ time? And what does that mean for you?
Caroline de Gruyter is Europa-correspondent van NRC Handelsblad. Ze schrijft elke week de column
‘In Europa’. Haar columns verschijnen ook in buitenlandse kranten zoals The New York Times. In haar
jongste boek “Zondagskinderen” heeft ze het over de terugkeer van oorlogsdreiging in Europa.
Jan Balliauw is oud-journalist bij de VRT, waar hij de Ruslandkenner was. Najaar 2025 verscheen het
boek 'De droom van Poetin' bij Uitgeverij Borgerhoff & Lamberigts. Het boek bivakeerde maanden in
de Non-fictie Top 10.
Melissa Giardina is een veelgevraagd gespreksleider voor auteursbezoeken en literaire avonden.