VUB awards honorary doctorate to Guy Mortier

Progressive Course homo However, it sometimes clashed with the vision of the publishers, which led to tensions. “Fortunately, our publishers, the Dupuis family, spoke French, and they simply could not read the magazine. Except for one brother-in-law, René Mathieuze, who regularly exploded in rage because of what he read and opposed our progressive line and I had to go regularly to the headquarters in Marseille to be whipped.

At one point, editors were forbidden to mention Gerard Reeve’s name, because of the Donkey Trial, a lawsuit against the writer for blasphemy.

commercial success

The publisher did not always agree with the editorial line. homoMeanwhile, the magazine was a huge commercial success. “Millions flocked in,” Mortier recalled, “and despite all the threats and grumblings about irreligion and left-wing agitation, their conservatives still trumped their religious principles.”

Its success even led to internal battles over page layout. “The circulation kept going up, and the ad pages kept coming! At one point, I had to fight to be allowed to open every big piece with a double page—at least anyway. They wanted ads everywhere.”

In addition to the energy of the editors, humor was an important element in the magazine’s success. homowith contributions from artists such as Ever Meulen, Kamagurka, Herr Seele, and Jeroom, but also from names such as Jonas Geirnaert, Hugo Matthysen, Peter van Straaten, and Gummbah.

After the attack on Charlie Hebdo

After the attack on Charlie Hebdo Kamagorka, one of the company’s cartoonists, declared that he did not want to die for drawing a cartoon about Muhammad. Mortier understands his reluctance, saying, “This attack was terrible, and I understand Kamagorka.” Although Mortier describes the extremism Charlie Hebdo He is not always appreciated, but he is aware of the tragic consequences of free speech: “You are dealing with people who are absolutely irrational, so you should not be too brave.”

“Not that this justifies anything,” Mortier continues, “but in my constant and often desperate search for funny cartoons and comics, I have found Charlie Hebdo Nothing was right or smart enough. homo. Technically gifted, but aimed exclusively at shock. Where was the humor? But then again, she shouldn’t have been killed for it. And it also had dire consequences for freedom of expression outside of it.”

Mortier was also closely associated with the double festival Torhout/Werchter (now Rock Werchter), which he presented for twenty years. He launched events such as Humo’s Rock Rally, Humo’s Pop Poll Evenings and Humo’s Comedy Cup. He became known on radio as a panelist Language battle and Press SecretariesAnd on television through his contributions to Everything could be better and The last show.

Free Spirit Day

On the Day of the Free Spirit, “many passionate voices from within the university and especially from outside” will speak out to celebrate the free spirit, said university president Jan Dankert. “With the Day of the Free Spirit we want to put the V of VUB in the middle.”

Mortier and Lackerfeld will speak extensively at the ceremony. “With Guy Mortier and Femke Lackerfeld, we have put two exceptional figures in the spotlight. Their work has always focused on free spirit, critical thinking and secular society,” says the university president.

Opinion-makers and wordsmiths such as Rudy Frankx, Elisabeth Lucy Payten, Christophe Busch, Sarah Lehmans, Dina Vahdani and Ruth Lasters will also contribute to the event. Live music will be provided by the Brussels band Ío.

The Free Spirit Festival will take place on Friday, September 20th at the Royal Circus, Onderrichtsstraat 81, 1000 Brussels, from 4pm to 7pm.