Albert van der Zeijden (1957-2021) was a historian and worked for nearly 35 years in the field of intangible heritage and folk culture, most recently as Head of the Knowledge Development Team at the Dutch Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage (KIEN). Since 2017, he also served as a Research Fellow in Intangible Heritage Studies at Utrecht University.

Albert made a fundamental contribution to the implementation of the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, acted as coordinator of the ‘Working Group Research’ of the ICH NGO Forum, served as an editor for Heritage Alive, and was a member of the Evaluation Body, the advisory body that assesses international nominations for placement on the UNESCO list for intangible cultural heritage.

He completed his PhD in 2002 with a thesis titled Catholic Identity and Historical Awareness: W.J.F. Nuyens (1823-1894) and his ‘National’ Historiography.

Since 2002, Albert served as a member of the editorial board of Volkskunde, the Flemish-Dutch journal on everyday culture.

Albert inspired others through his knowledge, research, tireless commitment to safeguarding intangible heritage and the UNESCO 2003 Convention, and through his numerous publications, which can be found on this website. He meant a great deal to many through his broad interests, enthusiasm, and warm personality.

In memory of Albert, Utrecht University and KIEN have established the Albert van der Zeijden Thesis Prize to encourage research on intangible heritage, honoring his dedication to research and years of supervising students’ theses.

The ICH NGO Forum has also instituted the ‘Albert van der Zeijden Prize’ to honor his prestigious work.