Metadata: Collection of leaflets, posters and plans
Collection
- Country:
- Belgium
- Holding institution:
- Archives of the Université Libre de Bruxelles
- Holding institution (official language):
- Archives de l’Université Libre de Bruxelles
- Postal address:
- Campus du Solbosch AX1.222, Avenue Franklin Roosevelt 50 / Franklin Rooseveltlaan 50, 1000 Bruxelles
- Phone number:
- +32 02/650.35.66
- Email:
- archives@ulb.ac.be
- Reference number:
- ArUnLib-Brussels-Fonds Tracts, affiches et plans
- Title:
- Collection of leaflets, posters and plans
- Title (official language):
- Fonds Tracts, affiches et plans
- Creator/accumulator:
- Université Libre de Bruxelles
- Date(s):
- 1834/2016
- Date note:
- Material continues to be added to this collection.
- Extent:
- 20 linear metres
- Scope and content:
- In this fonds we note the sub-series Associations et cercles étudiants de l’ULB (associations and student circles of the ULB), composed of 9 sections: cultural circles, section circles, various circles, foreign circles, faculty circles, interfaculty circles, political circles, regional circles and sporting circles. We notably point out the files related to the Union des étudiants juifs de Belgique (UEJB) in the section ‘Cultural circles’: see files no. ARCHIULB/29SP/CC/AF (including posters, 1965), ARCHIULB/29SP/CC/TR (“UEJB, leaflets”, 1968) and ARCHIULB/29SP/CC. In the section ‘Foreign circles’ we find a file concerning Israeli students (no. ARCHIULB/22SS/CE). Lastly, the section ‘Political circles’ contains the file ARCHIULB/59SP/CP regarding the Union des Progressistes juifs de Belgique (UPJB), and including leaflets of the Union Marxiste Sioniste-Léniniste (1968).
- Administrative/biographical history:
- The Université Libre de Bruxelles (‘Free university of Brussels’)(ULB) was established on 20 November 1834. Pierre-Théodore Verhaegen, Master of the Masonic lodge Les Amis philantropes initiated the creation of this “free” university, dedicated to teaching the Enlightenment philosophy and fighting against intolerance. Originally, the institution was called Université Libre de Belgique; it was divided in four faculties: literature and philosophy, law, science and medicine. Its name was changed to Université Libre de Bruxelles in 1836. The number of students steadily increased. In 1861, the university integrated the principle of free inquiry (‘libre examen’) as a founding principle in its statutes. A polytechnic school was opened in 1873, the school of political and social science was founded in 1899. The first female students were allowed to enrol at the ULB in 1880-1881. A difference of opinion led to a split of progressive professors and students, who would create the Université Nouvelle (‘new university’) in 1894, which existed until the First World War. The Institut de Sociologie of the ULB was created in 1902, the École de Commerce Solvay two years later. Since the late 19th century, the ULB has welcomed many foreign students, notably from Russia and Central and Eastern Europe. These students were fleeing the discrimination and entry restrictions imposed on ethnic and religious minorities. We note a significant number of (male and female) Jewish students from Russia and Eastern Europe; some of them continued to make an academic career at the ULB. Furthermore, the policy of the ULB was to hire renowned experts as professors for their skills and merit, without discrimination based on origin or religion. The ULB was closed in November 1941. Certain professors continued to teach classes in secret. Many teachers and students were involved in the resistance, notably in Groupe G. Classes resumed after the Liberation, in September 1944. The ULB was split in two in October 1969, resulting in the creation of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (also ‘Free University of Brussels’) where Dutch was the medium of instruction. The ULB is currently one of the leading universities of the country and the top French-speaking university. (J. Bartier, Université libre de Bruxelles, 1834-1959, Bruxelles, ULB, 1959 ; A. DESPY-MEYER, A. Dierkens & F. Scheelings (eds.), 25 novembre 1941, l’Université Libre de Bruxelles ferme ses portes, Bruxelles, Archives de l’ULB, 1991 ; V. Piette & E. Gubin, Emma, Louise, Marie … L’Université libre de Bruxelles et l’émancipation des femmes (1834-2000), Bruxelles, éd. Gief, 2004.)
- Finding aids:
- There is a database, which can be consulted in the reading room.
- Yerusha Network member:
- State Archives of Belgium
