Stichting Herengracht 401.

About Stichting Herengracht 401

H401 (Castrum Peregrini), officially Stichting Herengracht 401, was known as Castrum Peregrini until 2019, is a private cultural foundation located in the Herengracht building of the late artist Gisèle d’Ailly van Waterschoot van der Gracht (1912 - 2013), Amsterdam. It has roots in the World War II during which Gisèle's flat at Herengracht 401 served as a hiding place for Jewish youngsters. H401's multiple layers of history come together in thematic years programmes and projects, both at the local and international level. For several years now the foundation has explored themes such as Vulnerability to Group Fanaticism, Freedom, Friendship, Collective Memory, the Female Perspective, Diversity (Perplex), Masculinity(ies) and Archival Power. With these programmes rich in artists' intervention, academic inputs, research and public talks, H401 strives for a continuous deepening of issues relating to second class citizenship, homogenic narratives of the past, contested heritage as well as legacy of colonialism and totalitarian regimes. Art, Research and Dialogue are then at the core of the foundation. Through artistic means and devices, H401 promotes a thriving cultural programme that encompasses themes of memory and (contested) heritage resonating with diverse communities.