12 Oct 10th In Praise of Folly Pin for Dick Couvée

The Erasmus Committee, Icon of Rotterdam, has awarded the 10th In Praise of Folly Pin to Dick Couvée, pastor of the Pauluskerk. Due to the Covid-19 measures, the presentation of the pin, which usually takes place on October 28, Erasmus’s birthday, has been postponed to a date to be determined.

Dick Couvée’s work is characterized by an exceptional combination of mercy and dignity. With a limited number of professionals and hundreds of volunteers, the Pauluskerk, under his leadership, provides homeless people, drug addicts and illegal refugees with bread, bath and bed in the center of Rotterdam. While this allows them to unwind, a personalized plan is designed for them for a better future.

Every year, the Erasmus Committee awards the In Praise of the Folly Pin to a Rotterdammer who, in the spirit of Erasmus, has devoted himself to society and has stood up for tolerance, education and satire. Since 2011, the following individuals have received the award:

2011 Gyz la Rivière

2012 Arie van der Krogt

2013 Manuel Kneepkens

2014 Inez Weski

2015 Loes Luca

2016 Henk Oosterling

2017 Carrie Jansen

2018 Hugo Borst

2019 Fidan Ekiz

2020 Dick Couvée