The mystery begins in the Readers’ Room
8 Feb 2023. We met to discuss the book The Readers’ Room, by Antoine Laurain. It is a short book, translated from French (everyone agreed the translation was excellent!), with a lot of suspense. We discussed how the author’s greatest source of inspiration – fairytales – might show up in the story, mental health, artificial intelligence and how art/fiction can inspire or even foretell (!!) reality. Overall, we quite liked the book, although not everyone was convinced about the ending.
The Book
Movie in Review: Are we Living?
review by Max Baumgart and Shiva Shekhar
27 Jan 2023. On a Friday night, some TIC folks met again at Cinecitta for movie night. This time, „Living“ was on play. „Living“ is a 2022 British drama film, directed by Oliver Hermanus.
According to Wikipedia, it is adapted from a screenplay by Kazuo Ishiguro that itself was adapted from the 1952 Japanese film Ikiru directed by Akira Kurosawa.
That one again was inspired by the 1886 Russian novella „The Death of Ivan Ilyich“ by Leo Tolstoy. What a chain of adaptations! Shouldn’t that be in itself already a good indicator of a great movie? At least story wise. (more…)
Book in Review: A New Twist on an Old Lesson
review by Anne van Oorschot
17 Jan 2022. “Your ability to change everything – including yourself – starts here” – ELIZABETH ZOTT
The Book
Chemist Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman. In fact, Elizabeth Zott would be the first to point out that there is no such thing. But it’s the early 1960s and her all-male team at Hastings Research Institute take a very unscientific view of equality. Except for one: Calvin Evans, the lonely, brilliant, Nobel-prize nominated grudge-holder who falls in love with – of all things – her mind. True chemistry results.
READ MORE!A warm Welcome Back

by Katie Schweitzer
13 Jan 2023. The Welcome Back Borrel was a lot of fun. For the current members, we conducted some club business including voting in the new members of the board, myself included, and then afterward we had snacks and drinks and met some new people as well.
READ MORE!We had a fun night (trying) to play pool!

by Dietrich Haas
12 Nov 22. TIC organized a Pool Night and for those being a bit more familiar with the topic, it was immediately clear that you do not have to bring your swim shorts.
In my case, I did not bring any talent either, but at least strong dedication to not embarrass myself by accidentally stabbing someone with the billiard cue – I succeeded in this!
READ MORE!Book Discussion Review: 100th Book Celebration!
review by Katie Schweitzer & Anne van Oorschot
18 Oct 2022. When the Tilburg International Club came into being back in March 2008, the Book Discussion group was created as well. Our first meeting was well attended and our first book was Kafka on the Shore, by Haruki Murakami. While members to the group have come and gone, we are still going strong and recently read our 100th book!
For our 100th book we read The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow and gathered together to discuss it. Since 100 books is no small feat, we also had a party to celebrate!
President’s Message – March 2023
Where are we now
Hi Everyone! As you know, I have taken over as President and as one of my new duties, I am writing my first president’s message. I feel a lot of responsibility taking on this leadership role in such a long-standing club, but I also have a lot of enthusiasm about how we can continue to do fun activities together and also ways we can improve and grow.
So far this year we’ve had some great events, including the Welcome Back Borrel, which was a lot of fun. For the current members, we conducted some club business including voting in the new members of the board, myself included, and then afterward we had snacks and drinks and met some new people as well. We started the “Welcome Back” borrel originally after coming out of Covid lockdown, but it applied just as well to catching up after the holiday season, and I think it’s a nice new tradition.
Meet the board! tíc Treasurer
In the summer of 2019, I was lucky that my German company offered me an expat position responsible for our internal accounting at our Tilburg automotive production plant. Since I had been abroad several times during my studies and for work before, I did not hesitate to accept this offer. I was keen on learning about our neighbouring country which I had only known until then for our close rivalry in soccer and for the constant flow of camper vans on our highways.
As to be expected, right from the start, every superficial stereotype was blown away and I really fell in love with the Dutch way of life, the people and the city. TIC had a significant share in this, providing a lot of helpful information in the beginning.
(more…)An energetic yoga morning
Rise and shine it’s exercise time!
20.11.22. On a cold but clear morning, a small group of tic enthusiasts met for an energetic round of morning yoga at the amazing and unique Missiehuis.
The yoga class was an Easy Flow Hatha and we didn’t need any prior yoga experience or extra flexibility to participate. Elise from BonJolie and Wau effect personal training walked us through the poses and made adjustments where needed. (more…)
A Delicious Treat: Mexican Sopes Workshop
review by Mala Raman and Nathalie Harms
03.11.22. Día de los Muertos (or the Day of the death) is a Mexican holiday that celebrates the lives of those who have passed away with food, drink and celebration. It takes place on November 1st to honor the children that passed away and on November 2nd to honor the adults.
We had the opportunity to learn from our very own TIC member and Event Coordinator, Lily Gonzalez, how to make Mexican sopes with step-by-step instructions on how to cook this popular Mexican dish based on Lily’s family’s cooking tips and tricks. We made the tortillas from scratch for the sopes, salsa, pickled onions and guacamole. Lily demonstrated how to make the dish and all the trimmings. She also brought along Agua de Jamaica for tasting (hibiscus water). (more…)