Night of the Witch

Halloween is upon us, and our thoughts turn towards the sacred and the spooky. In collaboration with Studium Generale, we explore the dark history of the witch, from brutal persecution to the mob mentality that still troubles us today. But there's also room for the lighter, cosy side: think tarot, tea, and crafts.

23 October 2026 | 19:00 - 22:00 | Wander through an evening where history and magic meet: browse stands to discover, unwind at a tea buffet with a selection of dried herbs to compose your own cup, or make your own tarot card to take home. Settle into the theatre hall for two captivating lectures on the history of witch persecution. The evening has a relaxed, festival-like feel, with the past coming alive and the cosy witchy vibes flowing freely throughout the Foyer.

Tickets are free and available via the Studium Generale website: 

Get creative!

Get creative with tarot and tea! Make your own tarot card, complete with your own meaning and design, or craft and decorate your own tea bag with dried herbs to enjoy or gift.

Guest Speakers

19:30 – 20:20 — Jan Machielsen 

Of Cripples and Old Crones: How Misogyny Drove and Broke the European Witch-Hunt

Misogyny didn't just contribute to the persecution of so-called witches in Europe. According to historian Jan Machielsen, it also played a key part in its end. Listen to Jan outline this fascinating new argument, as he also interrogates the idea that you had to be an old woman to be seen as a witch. 

Jan Machielsen is a historian of early modern religion, 1500–1700, with a particular interest in witches, demons, and saints, and is the author of [The Basque Witch-Hunt: A Secret History

20:40 – 21:40 — Manja Bedner 

Social Game: Survive the Mob Mentality

The witch hunt left considerable traces for women in society today, still influencing how we see women and how they perceive themselves. Manja Bedner, board member of the National Monument to Commemorate Witches and playwright of De Heks van Almen (The Almen Witch), will host a social game exploring mechanisms of exclusion and othering. 

She has played De Heks van Almen since 2020 at several locations in the Netherlands where witches were persecuted; the play is a 'Living Monument of Exoneration' and has been performed 130 times for over 25,000 people.

Both lectures are free to attend, and while you're here, feel free to explore the rest of the evening too!

Practical information:

- The event is open to everyone, TU Delft and beyond.

- Admission is free, but registration via the SG website is recommended to guarantee your spot. 

- Whether you come solo or with friends, you’re warmly welcome!

- You can also drop by without a ticket.

- The main location of the event is in the Foyer, with the lectures taking place in the Theatre Hall.