On Friday 20 November, students from VUB and ULB will take to the streets of Brussels to celebrate St V, the annual tribute to Pierre-Théodore Verhaegen, founder of ULB and a key figure in the shared history of both universities. The two universities are joining forces for a day of student traditions, festivities and social engagement. Under the theme “Changez vos mentalités, pas nos libertés – Haar stem mag klinken, laat geweld verdrinken” (Change your mindsets, not our freedoms – Let her voice be heard. End violence against women), student associations BSG (VUB) and ACE (ULB) are putting the spotlight on the fight against violence against women.
Why this theme?
The theme reflects growing concern about violence against women, both in wider society and within the student community. In recent years, various forms of violence and harassment against women have made headlines. Through St V, BSG and ACE want to keep the issue firmly in the spotlight and send a clear message: violence against women must stop.
“It’s incredibly important that we keep drawing attention to this issue. There have been numerous incidents over the past year, many of which have received extensive media coverage. We need to keep the spotlight on this,” says Nik, BSG's Vice-President for External Affairs and a civil engineering student.
With the slogan “Haar stem mag klinken, laat geweld verdrinken” (Let her voice be heard. End violence against women), students are calling for women's voices to be heard and for all forms of violence against them to be challenged. Their message will also take centre stage during the protest march towards the Brussels Stock Exchange, where participants will be encouraged to make their voices heard through handmade placards and slogans.
On the day itself, BSG will also raise awareness about alcohol consumption and inappropriate behaviour. These efforts reflect the association's longstanding commitment to making St V a safe and inclusive celebration for everyone.
A special tribute to Jeanneke-Pis
This year, Jeanneke-Pis will take centre stage at St V. For the first time, the famous Brussels statue will be dressed in a traditional student cap and matching outfit, unveiled during a special ceremony at 2.30 pm. The tribute is both a nod to this year's theme and a celebration of Brussels' rich student folklore. Jeanneke-Pis will remain dressed for the occasion until 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
The St V medal: a symbol of solidarity
No St V celebration would be complete without its traditional commemorative medal. This year's design reflects the event's theme, helping to spread its message beyond the celebrations themselves.
The student associations are also raising funds for organisations supporting women in vulnerable situations. One of the organisations associated with the initiative is Talita, a Brussels-based non-profit organisation that provides shelter for women who have lost their homes due to circumstances such as relationship breakdowns, debt or eviction. Each year, Talita offers a safe place and support to an average of 60 women and their children. Its support goes far beyond providing shelter. The organisation helps women access employment, education and training, and regain their independence.
Anyone wishing to buy a St V pin can do so at the Sablon during the celebrations. Pins will also remain available afterwards through the BSG online shop.
Tradition, protest and solidarity
St V is much more than a student celebration. Rooted in resistance to authoritarian university governance, it has long stood for free thought, academic freedom and the right to question authority. For Nik, these founding principles remain central to the tradition.
“St V was originally established to honour Pierre-Théodore Verhaegen and defend the values of free inquiry and academic freedom. It's a tradition we need to cherish. Today, it has also become a major student celebration, but we must never lose sight of its roots in protest.”
For Nik, St V brings together social engagement and a strong sense of belonging. Every year, thousands of students, alumni and supporters gather in Brussels to celebrate a shared tradition.
“There's something incredible about coming together with around 10,000 people to celebrate the same tradition. Every member of the VUB community should experience St V at least once.”
The Origins and Tradition of Saint V
Every year on 20 November, ULB (Université Libre de Bruxelles) and VUB (Vrije Universiteit Brussel) honour their founder, Pierre-Théodore Verhaegen, during Saint V. Organised by the Brussels Student Society and the Association des Cercles Etudiants, this festive event draws hundreds of students from both VUB and ULB. An eclectic mix of students, alumni, researchers, and professors from both liberal universities gathers in the Brussels Sablon and then proceeds to the Stock Exchange. For the public, the vibrant parade is the most striking part of Saint V, each year drawing attention to a political or social theme.
However, the festivities start in the morning with a solemn segment, where the VUB and ULB leadership and student organisations pay homage not only to Théodore Verhaegen but also to other important humanist figures. They do this by laying flowers and giving speeches in memory of Brussels university resistance fighters and students who gave their lives during the world wars.
The origins of this celebration go back to 1888, when students called for a more open and less dogmatic attitude from university authorities. They appealed to the anti-clerical and Enlightenment ideals of Pierre-Théodore Verhaegen, the university’s founder. To reinforce their message, they laid flowers at Verhaegen’s grave. However, this gesture was mocked in the press, with the newspaper Le Patriote ridiculing the students by canonising Verhaegen. The students embraced this nickname, soon calling their hero “Saint Verhaegen.”
In 2019, Saint V was recognised as part of Brussels’ intangible cultural heritage, acknowledging the historical significance and tradition of this event. It remains a vivid reminder of the shared values of academic freedom and humanism celebrated annually by both universities.
Medals from the CAVA archive can be found here.