Looking back: Warhol Grand Café #3

Visitors registered in advance for an afternoon of reflection, conversation, and comfort — at the intersection of art and life itself. The event was opened by Armand Winthagen, director of the Toon Hermans Huis Parkstad, a center for living with and beyond cancer. He emphasized the importance of giving space to grief and ensuring that people feel seen and supported in their mourning.

Bo Jacobs

Discussion leader Rian Moonen (L1) guided the program with care and calm, creating a safe setting where difficult topics such as loss, love, and farewell could be shared.

One of the most personal contributions came from dancer Bo Jacobs, who spoke about how her physical vulnerability is not a limitation but a source of strength. "Don’t let the past drag you down," she said. "Because then there is no room for something new." Through both dance and words, she captured the essence of transience — not as something that paralyzes us, but as something that opens us up.

A highlight of the afternoon was an impactful lecture by grief expert Manu Keirse. As an emeritus professor and authority on grief and loss, he shared his perspective on mourning as an expression of love: "Grief is the price we pay for love."

The work of grief

Keirse emphasized that grief is not an illness to be 'processed' but a form of grief work — a process that takes time and does not follow a fixed pattern. Everyone grieves in their own way, and that’s okay. What can you do for someone in mourning? Don’t ask "How are you?", but rather "How have your days been lately?" Listen, even when silence falls. Send a card, offer practical help, and remain present. Help keep memories alive — share stories, create a photo album, or make a memory box.

For parents who have lost a child or those facing an early death themselves, Keirse recommended creating a time capsule with letters, photos, or voice recordings. Say "I love you." In this way, love remains tangible — beyond loss. This afternoon showed that transience is not just about farewells but also about connection, love, and humanity.

A heartfelt thank you to all speakers, participants, and partners who made this special edition of the Warhol Grand Café possible.

View a general impression of the afternoon via the slider at the top of the page.