Prominent Utrechters talking about their favourite spot in the city. This month: Petra Luiken, who received a knighthood for her work for the Utrecht queer community, shows me the wall poem by Dirkje Kuik at the Oude Kamp, a street just off Nieuwegracht.
So…. Oude Kamp?
‘It’s partly because the house opposite was the home and studio of Dirkje Kuik, who died in 2008. She was a famous Utrecht-based artist, writer and poet, and one of the first openly transgender people. She wasn’t really recognised for this during her lifetime and met with considerable antipathy, but she continued to fight for her ideals. Although she was doing this in the 1970s – half a century ago – the current generation of transgender people are still having problems. That’s why she’s such a source of inspiration for me. To honour her legacy, we opened last October’s third edition of the annual Utrecht Queer Culture Festival with the Dirkje Kuik lecture.’
Biggest irritation?
‘I think it’s a real pity that Utrecht doesn’t have large-scale club evenings anymore. When I was in my 20s, we danced until deep into the night in places like Club Monza, the former Scala cinema on Potterstraat, and biked home happily through the silent streets. I recently read that the current generation of young people have other ways of going out – so maybe that’s why all these halls are now empty. Utrecht has a lot of bars though. They’re great, but if you want a broad range of nightlife, you can’t beat those club evenings.’
Best memory?
‘My best memory and the best day of my life was 25 April this year, when I was made a Knight in the Order of Orange-Nassau for my voluntary for the Utrecht queer community. I started there 20 years ago after going to the monthly LGBTIQA+ party organised by Stichting PANN in the old Tivoli. I didn’t find coming out easy, but because I saw so many nice people there, I thought: if this is my future, I’m going to be all right. I want to help turn something that’s difficult into something positive. I spend an average of 15 hours a week on my voluntary work, alongside my full-time management job with ProRail. The knighthood was the jewel in the crown of that work, a blessing, although that’s not why I do it. For me, it’s all about creating a more inclusive Utrecht, the place where I was born and bred.’
Last thing you watched?
‘Constellations by the theatre company Terminal 8 in Theater Kikker. This play by Nick Payne is about two people and the choices they make for their love life. The play highlights all the different turnings you can make during your life. For example: turn down someone you meet in the pub, or end up in bed with them. I was particularly taken by the idea that seemingly insignificant decisions can sometimes determine the rest of your life. Just deciding to join someone for that cup of coffee can change the course of your life forever.’
Moved to tears?
‘During the last edition of the Queer Culture Festival I watched a preview of Verstoten: a beautiful, but harrowing, documentary about homeless young LGBTIQA+ people by the filmmaker Claire Slingerland. It was showing in Atelier Spat, the 24-hour shelter for people who need help and support in their day-to-day lives. One of the regulars was there too. “If I don’t like after three minutes, I’m out of here,” he said. But he watched the whole documentary, and during the discussion afterwards, he talked about how dreadful it was that there were no decent shelters for those young people. To my mind, he touched upon the very essence of the festival: getting a glimpse of each other’s lives and drawing closer together.’
The power of Utrecht?
‘Having Tivoli/Vredenburg and hosting sport events like the Giro has really diversified the range of cultural activities in the city. At the same time, Utrecht manages to retain its fine, unassuming energy. You’re always welcome, even if you’re wearing jeans and All Stars.’
Lees in het Nederlands
Over dit artikel
text:
Sarah-Mie Luyckx
images:
Juri Hiensch
Publication date:
4 December 2025
Magazine edition:
UITagenda Utrecht dec/jan 2025
