Everyday existentialism: think, read and write with philosopher Jannah Loontjens
Everyday existentialism – think, read and write
with philosopher Jannah Loontjens
(language: Dutch)
april 18th– April 24th 2025
In this workshop you will become acquainted with existentialism, a philosophical movement in which thinking begins with everyday existence: are we living the life we want to lead? Why do we make the choices we make? To what extent are we free in doing so? We will discuss in detail work and life of the French philosophers Simone de Beauvoir, Albert Camus, Jean-Paul Sartre. According to existentialists, philosophy begins in the observation of personal experiences. To analyze individual understanding instead of general points of view, was a radical new approach within philosophy. An approach, in fact, which comes close to literature. After all, literature requires empathy with different characters and situations. Apart from essays and philosophical works, these French philosophers also wrote novels, stories, and plays. Maybe existentialism is primarily about freedom of thought, but it is also about the power of language, argumentation, and empathy.
This workshop begins each morning after breakfast with a lecture by philosopher Jannah Loontjens, the joint discussion of a text fragment, and the opportunity for questions and discussion. After that, there is plenty of free time to work on your own writing assignment and to enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the Ria Formosa. After dinner there is the opportunity to share the written texts, for those who feel like it.
About Jannah Loontjens
Jannah Loontjens is a writer and philosopher. In addition to poetry and essays, she has published five novels. In her novels Misschien wel niet (2014) and Wie weet (2018), she portrayed contemporary struggles within friend groups, family, and relationships. In 2019, she published Als het over liefde gaat, an essayistic travel story. In 2020, Schuldig was released, an intimate exploration of guilt through the lens of philosophers and writers. Loontjens writes essays for, among others, NRC, Trouw, and de Volkskrant, and she contributed a monthly column for Filosofie Magazine. Her latest novel, En toen ging hij, a story about friendship, betrayal, and political activism in the 1980s, was published in 2023. NRC described it as ,,a delightful book that you read with a mixture of pleasure and pain”. Jannah Loontjens is part of the writers’ collective Fixdit. See also: www.jannahloontjens.nl
The Retreat
Surrounded by an avocado plantation and a vineyard, our historic farmhouse offers the ideal residence to read, think and write with utmost concentration and in complete tranquillity. You start your day with a healthy breakfast featuring locally sourced products and in the evening you will enjoy a delicious dinner prepared by our skilled Portuguese chef, showcasing the flavors of the region. Lunch is at your own leisure. The manager of the quinta is happy to arrange reservations and transportation upon request. We would also like to assist you with renting a bike. In free hours you can explore the breathtaking Ria Formosa.
This retreat has a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 12 participants.
Program (in Dutch)
Het programma kan nog aangepast worden, afhankelijk van de vliegtijden van Amsterdam- Faro-Amsterdam met Transavia.
Dag 1
Rond 20:00 uur ontvangst en diner op Quinta do Pinheiro
Dag 2/3/4/5
8:00 – 10:00 Ontbijt
10:00 – 12:00 Lezing door Jannah Loontjens.
Dag 2: Introductie op het existentialisme en de voorlopers ervan.
Dag 3: Kennismaking met het denken en schrijven van Jean-Paul Sartre, We lezen een stuk uit Over het existentialisme.
Dag 4: Kennismaking met het denken en schrijven van Simone de Beauvoir. We lezen een stuk uit Pyrrhus en Cineas.
Dag 5: Kennismaking met het denken en schrijven van Albert Camus. We lezen een stuk uit De mythe van Sisyphus.
12:00 – 12:15 Verstrekken en uitleg schrijfopdracht.
Lunch is op eigen gelegenheid.
In de middag is er tijd voor het maken van de schrijfopdracht en het ontdekken van de prachtige omgeving van natuurpark Ria de Formosa.
De manager van de quinta helpt graag bij het reserveren van restaurants en transport. We helpen ook graag met het huren van een (electrische) fiets of met het boeken van een golfbaan, een yogales, een kayaktour, een paardrijtocht of een massage.
19:00 Diner
20:00 Bespreken schrijfopdrachten
Dag 5
8:00 – 10:00 Ontbijt
Vrije tijd
13:00 Afscheidslunch in lokaal visrestaurant
Prices
Book before the 1st of January 2025 to take advantage
of the early bird discount:
Casa da Eira: 2.575 euro
Casa das Flores: 2.575 euro
Casa Celeiro: 2.650 euro
Casa Grande: 2.725 euro
Casa da Avó: 2.725 euro
After the 1st of January 2025 the following prices apply:
Casa da Eira: 2.850 euro
Casa das Flores: 2.850 euro
Casa Celeiro: 2.925 euro
Casa Grande: 3.000 euro
Casa da Avó: 3.000 euro
Book before March 7th 2025
If you share a room with someone, you will receive a discount of 400 euros per room.
Included in Price
Everyday class by philosopher Jannah Loontjens
Course reader
Personal feedback on writing assignments
Breakfast and dinner
Five nights of accommodation
CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancellations made before March 7th 2025 will receive a 100% refund of the total amount. Cancellations made between March 7th and March 21st 2025 will receive a 50 percent refund of the total amount. Cancellations made after March 21st 2025 will not receive any refunds.
This retreat requires a minimum of eight participants.
I want to enrol!
