Saturday, June 21st of 2025, is a day for the USH community. A day to meet, to connect and to share knowledge
Program
Combining the best of a traditional congress and an uplifting festival. We proudly present you: ‘USH2025 Congrestival’.
The USH2025 Congrestival will be the Celebration of the Senses! Where everyone can experience science, art, music and stories with all the senses. The sensory experiences have a focus on sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell.
In the “on stage” studio, the ihost engages in live conversation with scientists, medics and members from USH Community. The video podcasts can be viewed directly on the Ushersyndrome Foundation's YouTube channel.
An exhibition is organized in the center of Nijmegen where everyone is welcome. On Friday evening the social event will also take place there, which you can sign up for during registration.
- Plenary program with guest speakers
- Summaries and high lights of the scientific congress
- Optional program with workshops
- Presentations
- Workshops
- Live performances by artists and musicians
- Haptic Technology & Design Lab
- The Synesthesia Lab
- Cinema 'in the dark'
- Silence café "Not the dark room'
Presenter Chairman of the day Vincent Bijlo
The plenary program of the Congrestival on Saturday, June 21, will be presented by Vincent as chairman of the day. Vincent will also be the host of the social event on Friday evening, June 20.
Vincent is a well known Dutch comedian, columnist, writer, musician and radioproducer. He spent part of of his childhood at the Royal Institute for Education for the Visually Impaired and Blind in Huizen (NL) and studied Dutch at the Utrecht University for several years. His first success as a comedian came in 1988 when he won the audience and personality award at the ‘Leids Cabaret festival’. Vincent will also present the social event on Friday evening 20 June.
SNEAK PREVIEW
Do you have a nose for it?
Fedora Boonaert is a Belgian art historian and designer. She combines her academic background in art science with an experimental approach to design, resulting in an interdisciplinary practice. Fedora's work is at the intersection of art, design, science and history. She is primarily interested in the historical role of scent, and how we can preserve our scent heritage. With the unique nose wise game you test yourself with feeling by touching, whether or not supplemented by image by looking, corresponding smells by smelling can be sought. This experience is offered continuously during the Congrestival.
Do you have a feeling for it?
Michel Witter is researching how technologies for sensory enhancement and embodied interactions can help narrow the gap between people with different senses. He uses a design approach in which prototypes are tested by the people for whom they are intended in their everyday environments. Together with the users, he develops devices that become more usable and accepted.
Imagine: what if you had an extra sense organ? How could it positively help the dual sensory impairment of people with Usher syndrome? Come to Michel's lecture and discover new insights. You can register for this lecture in spring 2025.
Do you have balance in it?
Merijn Klarenbeek won an award for Young Management Entrepreneur of the Year in 2020. With his innovative belt, he wants to contribute to people's quality of life.
Using his innovative belt with haptic sensors, Merijn Klarenbeek lets you feel how you can still walk stably on an uneven surface. By accurately measuring your posture and providing vibration feedback, you learn to maintain your balance. Come balance and experience! This experience will be offered throughout the Congrestival.
Zen Zone
Cinema in the dark
A cinema where you can watch videos and documentaries.
Silent café Not the dark room
A well-lit and music-free space where people can gather in peace while enjoying snacks and drinks.
Register for USH2025
Register for the Scientific Congress
and the Congrestival. Register is open.
