At the beginning of the seventeenth century, the Netherlands colonised Brazil. Brazil remained under Dutch rule for several decades, including under the leadership of Johan Maurits van Nassau-Siegen, founder of the Mauritshuis. Although this colonial period was relatively short, it has had a lasting impact on both Brazil and the Netherlands – and particularly on The Hague. How do we relate to this history, which is unknown to many people, yet at the same time is omnipresent in the streetscape of The Hague? Researcher Carolina Monteiro and artist Rafael Roncato explored these questions and, in collaboration with Nest, created the book The Façade. Through short texts and visual research, the publication explores the colonial history and the ways in which it continues to resonate in the present day.

This year marks the first anniversary of The Façade. To mark the occasion, Nest is hosting a book dinner. Around Brazilian Independence Day on 7 September, we invite you to a special evening bringing together food, art, history and conversation. Through stories from the book, photography, archival material and the historical background of the dishes, we will explore the history of Dutch Brazil and the ways in which it continues to shape the present.

The evening offers space for meeting and exchanging ideas. Through conversations at the table, interactive activities and sharing a meal, we invite you to exchange experiences, memories and perspectives. The event will conclude with a Brazilian musical performance. The Façade forms the starting point for the evening, but no prior knowledge is required. Whether you have already read the publication or are encountering it for the first time, everyone is warmly invited to join us.

Practical information

Date: 16 September 2026

Time: 17:00–21:00

Location: Nest (De Constant Rebecqueplein 20B)

Dinner: Brazilian three-course dinner (vegetarian option available), including drinks

Tickets: regular €25 / students €20, including a copy of The Façade