Harry Rijnen

Language has always been fundamental to the life of Harry Rijnen (Breda, The Netherlands, 1956). Currently, Harry gives dramatized talks and presentations to teenagers and adults on a range of subjects such as the novel ‘Moby Dick’, the personality of Erasmus of Rotterdam and the Saint Nicholas Festivity. Interaction with his public is always an essential part of his performances.

During his long professional career, Harry was a press correspondent, text writer and consultant, working in Madrid, London, New York and The Hague. He is fluent in Dutch, Spanish, English and German. Harry is an avid reader of the press and books, ranging from classical novels to works of non-fiction regarding the human essence as well as essays on history, politics and economics.

Harry currently lives in the Sierra Norte in Madrid. In addition to reading, writing and acting, he enjoys doing Pilates, walking in the mountains, bird watching, listening to the silence of nature, gardening, dancing, travelling, solving cryptic crosswords and drinking a good glass of wine. Since 2018, he has participated regularly in the Community Theater and Improvisation Theater programs offered by the cultural association P.L.A.Y. in the Sierra Norte.

In his younger years, Harry graduated with honors in Political Science from the University of Amsterdam and ran the Madrid marathon in less than three hours. He is a member of SEO Birdlife, Greenpeace and Amnesty International, in addition to several cultural associations in the Sierra Norte.

Talks

Breda surrenders – ‘La Rendición de Breda’

Breda surrenders – ‘La Rendición de Breda’

Four centuries ago, in 1624 and 1625, all of Europe followed the siege of the city of Breda with utmost interest. In June 1625, after ten months of strangling encirclement, the Italian general Spinola and his tens of thousands of troops, fighting for the king of...

Dramatized talk on Herman Melville’s ‘Moby Dick’

Dramatized talk on Herman Melville’s ‘Moby Dick’

The novel ‘Moby Dick’ is an almost infinite source of inspiration for study and debate. In his masterpiece from 1851, Herman Melville not only describes the bloody and dangerous reality of sperm whale hunting, he also broaches many other passionate subjects that are...

Erasmus

Erasmus

Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam (1466-1536) was the most widely read and most prestigious intellectual of early 16th century Europe. Nevertheless, his dreams never came through. Instead of the open-minded study of biblical and classical texts, dogmatism prevailed....

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Agenda

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What do they say about Harry?

María José Calvo González, teacher of Dutch as a foreign language in the ‘Facultad de Filología’ of the ‘Universidad Complutense de Madrid’

"For more than five years, Harry has given conferences to my students about topics related to the past and present of The Netherlands and Belgium, from the history of Antwerp to the image of the Dutch in foreign caricatures. We love his talks, because Harry knows how to transmit his profound knowledge and invites us to reflect and debate. Moreover, Harry’s stories are always entertaining!"

Máximo Aláez Fernández, member of the "Asociación Cultural Chozas de la Sierra" (ACCS) in Soto del Real (Madrid)

"Would you like to take a deep dive into the world of ‘Moby Dick’, like a sperm whale into the ocean? Do it with Harry as your guide! In his dramatized talk on this masterpiece and its writer, Herman Melville, the great themes of the book acquire their full tragic force: destiny, power, the obsession with vengeance and the struggle between reason and madness. That was our wonderful experience during Harry’s presentation in Soto del Real.

Pedro Almagro. Actor. Teacher at the ‘Escuela Superior de Arte Dramático’ of Castilla y León.

"A Renaissance man who surprises us right in the 21st century. That is the best way to define Harry. His vast historic knowledge and his analytical insights are impressive. That said, his best qualities are his charisma and the friendliness he displays. I have experienced this during many meals and after-dinner conversations we have shared. I hope to share many more!"

París Uki. Head of the School of Social Theater Theater for Inclusion. Community Psychologist.

"Harry has participated in my classes of community theatre and improvisation theatre since 2018. He has been a good companion with a positive attitude. In these years of training, he has developed very good skills as an actor and improviser. His ‘lack of embarrassment’ allows him to explore different forms of acting. When Harry is on stage, he is really present. What I like most about him is his drive to create new projects and to use his training as an actor to develop new social activities."

Sandra Movilla Gomato. Teacher of Spanish Language and Literature in the CEIPSO “Peñalta” (State School of Secondary Education) in Buitrago del Lozoya (Madrid)

"Harry and I both go to the same Theater of Improvisation classes. In this context, I got to know Harry as a creative person, who knows how to play different roles. This quality allows him to transmit agility and humor in his talks. That’s why I was eager to ask him to come to my school to give his talk on Saint Nicholas. My pupils had a great time, because Harry was very friendly, told them stories and anecdotes they didn’t know, let them participate and took their thoughts very seriously. That’s the right attitude!"