Ode to Wonder

Following her curatorship of Theater aan Zee in 2021, Caroline Pauwels wrote a beautiful ode to wonder. A heartfelt plea to open our senses and allow our ideas to evolve. Children are often full of wonder. Why is the sea blue? Why does it get dark? Why is that man bald? Somewhere along the path to adulthood,most of us lose that sense of innocence. Gradually, the fire of curiosity is extinguished:things are just the way they are — there’s nothing new under the sun. And that’s a pity. Wonder adds color to life, helps us push our boundaries, and encourages us to question false certainties. In her book Ode aan de verwondering [Ode to Wonder], Caroline Pauwels passionately advocates for looking at the world once more through the eyes of a child — in science, in art, and in the big and small moments of everyday life. This Ode to Wonder is also a tribute to the late VUB rector, Caroline Pauwels. Featuring texts by Caroline and music she loved. The rector was a public figure with a deep love for the arts. She was, among other things, a curator for Theater aan Zee. She also created the VRT series The Insights of Caroline Pauwels, and VRT produced The Four Seasons of Caroline Pauwels. An Miller takes on the role of Caroline Pauwels.