Lecture: A Brief History of the Pandemics
From the Justinianic Plague and the Black Death to smallpox, cholera and the Great Influenza — pandemics have shaped societies for centuries.
In A Brief History of the Pandemic, curator Odin Essers presents a fascinating selection of rare and remarkable books from Maastricht University’s Special Collections that shed light on some of history’s most devastating outbreaks.
Pandemics then and now
The Covid-19 pandemic affected all of our lives: businesses closed, travel came to a standstill, and education moved online almost overnight. But how did earlier generations experience epidemics and pandemics? And what can historical books tell us about fear, science, religion and resilience in times of crisis?
Who is it for?
This activity is especially interesting for students, staff, researchers and anyone curious about history, medicine, society, or the role of books and archives in understanding the past.
Why join?
Discover extraordinary historical works and explore how pandemics changed the world — and continue to shape it today. It offers a chance to reflect on how people before us made sense of disease, uncertainty and disruption, and how historical collections can help us better understand the crises of our own time.
Availability
Available spaces: 14/ 15
Location
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