Witte de With Center to Change Name in 2018 to Address Colonial Legacy

In 2018, the Witte de With Center for Contemporary Art in Rotterdam will undergo a name change to eliminate colonial connotations. Director Defne Ayas stated that this decision stemmed from the summer initiative Cinema Olanda: Platform, which expanded Wendelien van Oldenborgh's exhibition at the Dutch Pavilion in Venice and sought to reevaluate Dutch identity on a global scale. Established in 1990, the center derives its name from the street it occupies, named after Admiral Witte Corneliszoon de With (1599–1658), a figure associated with colonialism. Ayas indicated that the name change is expected to take place after her successor takes over in 2018. This announcement was made on September 7, 2017, as part of efforts to 'decolonise' the center's image.