British writer and presenter Stephen Fry receives honorary doctorate from KU Leuven
British writer, presenter, comedian, actor and storyteller Sir Stephen Fry has on Friday received an honorary doctorate from KU Leuven university's faculty of arts. Dean Liesbet Heyvaert honoured Fry amongst others for his efforts to break taboos around sexuality and for his lifelong dedication to the English language.
Sir Stephen Fry received the honorary doctorate for his mastery of the art of storytelling, his contribution to the public debate on a wide range of often sensitive topics and his talent for sharing complex insights in a fascinating way with the broad public. With his modern interpretations of Greek mythology, he has for example brought ancient stories back to life for all ages.
Dean Liesbet Heyvaert of the faculty of arts praised his love for language and literature and the way he manages to reach a broad audience using a wide range of platforms and media. “With his sharp pen, his significant cultural baggage and his disarming openness, Stephen Fry shows us the true power of language,” said Heyvaert. “He is not afraid to tackle difficult topics, he speaks to the heart and the mind, and he builds bridges between people.”
In his emotional acceptance speech, Fry talked about how he was unpopular as a child and had a terrible time at school, until he discovered the wonders of language. Through Oscar Wilde's stories, he got to know himself better, and his own sexuality as a gay man. “I was terrified, but language saved me,” he stated.
He also had a message for all students, past and present, of the KU Leuven. “Become a permanent student,” he said. "Just because you leave the walls of this glorious town and university, doesn’t mean you have to forget being a student. You don’t have to forget being a lunatic. And a heretic. And a doubter. A wonderer and an explorer.”
#FlandersNewsService | KU Leuven rector Luc Sels and British writer and presenter Sir Stephen Fry © BELGA PHOTO JAMES ARTHUR GEKIERE
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