City Talks Amsterdam: Mentors & Mirrors
Come to The Bookshop on Thursdays for City Talks Amsterdam! For this monthly talk show, we invite guests – from scientists to artists and from journalists to economists – to talk about a social issue or urban trend. Together with you, we delve into a theme and ask what it means for Amsterdam and its residents.
Themes that came up last seasons include the influence of money, political activism and artificial intelligence. We invite you to grab a drink, join the conversation and get inspired!
Location The Bookshop
Run time 60 minutes
Genre Perspective
Language English
We recommend purchasing a ticket in advance. An admission ticket includes one drink.
Mentors & Mirrors
Who are we without the people who shape us? This City Talks, we explore how identity is forged in relation to others - through encounters, mentorship, and the communities we belong to. We’ll reflect on the power of role models and inter-generational exchange, and ask how guidance and support can help us grow into ourselves. At the same time, we’ll look at the challenges of representation and the realities of womanhood, and how these continue to shape our public and private lives.
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This edition's theme is inspired by ITA Ensemble / Eline Arbo’s The Laws, playing from October 9 till November 23 at ITA and on tour throughout The Netherlands. Based on the debut novel by Connie Palmen, this stage adaptation follows the journey of a young woman in 1980s Amsterdam, searching for knowledge, connection, and meaning through seven encounters that shape her identity.
How can mentorship, networks, and guidance shift power structures and make political spaces more inclusive? Devika Partiman, one of the Netherlands’ most prominent feminists, is the founder of Stem op een Vrouw (Vote for a Woman), an organisation dedicated to increasing women’s representation in politics. They campaign for more women in elected office and run a mentorship network that actively supports aspiring female politicians to realise their ambitions. Drawing from her own journey, Devika reflects on how guidance, solidarity, and role models can help women step confidently into decision-making spaces. With national elections just a week away, let us explore ways to open doors for the next generation of leaders!
How can knowledge, community, advocacy, and collaboration transform the Dutch audiovisual industry? Esther Schmidt is a freelance programme-maker in the film sector and the founder and director of Vrouwen in Beeld, a foundation dedicated to strengthening the position and visibility of women in film and media. Drawing from her own experiences navigating a male-dominated industry, she has built a platform that supports women through research, partnerships, and events, highlighting issues like gender pay gaps, underrepresentation behind the camera, and stereotyped portrayals of women on screen. At City Talks, Esther shares insights from recent studies together with the University of Utrecht, presenting the hard facts and exploring ways to improve gender equity across the sector.
Born and raised in Amsterdam, Fatima Elatik is known as a natural bridge-builder. As former district chair in Amsterdam, she now works as a change manager and advisor, guiding leaders, organisations, and communities through transformation and conflict. She is recognised for her ability to hold difficult conversations and open doors that often remain closed. As director of the Patta Academy, Fatima creates space for young makers and thinkers to develop their talents and amplify their voices. With an intergenerational perspective and a wealth of experience in politics, governance, and civil society, she is dedicated to bridging differences and bringing new perspectives together — always with an eye for justice and inclusion, and the belief that lasting change begins with listening, meeting, and working together.
Jackie Ashkin is a spoken word artist and researcher. She is half Malaysian, half American and writes from her twenty years of experience living between and within different cultures. Join her on a lyrical journey through intrusive thoughts and current news topics as she explores who we are and how we find connection in a world of shifting mirrors.
