Saints with Secrets: The Art of Hypocrisy
This is part of the Monthly Writer’s Room series at CultureHub, Rotterdam.
This month, we step into the beautiful contradictions of hypocrisy, where virtue’s halo hides the sharp edge of self-interest and righteousness is a mask for something more complicated.
What happens when a character claims the moral high ground but acts against their own stated beliefs? From gods in ancient myths to leaders on the nightly news, hypocrisy is a timeless force shaping the stories we tell. Athena, goddess of wisdom and justice, punishes the mortal Medusa for being raped in her temple. Zeus, king of the gods, upholds divine order while breaking his own laws for pleasure. Even in modern fiction, the peacekeeper can be the greatest warmonger and the crusader for truth may be the most practiced liar.
Hypocrisy is not just deception. It is self-preservation, charm, power, and contradiction wrapped in one. Sometimes it is the belief that the rules do not apply “just this once.” Sometimes it is the illusion that keeps a fragile world from falling apart. Whether it is a polished politician, a revered saint, or a quiet voice inside bending its own code, hypocrisy reveals deep truths about fear, identity, and desire.
What to expect:
- First, we read. Bring whatever book you are into and settle into one hour of quiet, collective presence.
- Then, we write. You will move through three to four guided prompts using sensory and embodied experience to unlock layered characters, subtle contradictions, and the tension of saying one thing while doing another. The workshop is held in English, but you are welcome to write in whatever language feels like home. There is no pressure to share your work. This is a space for exploration, reflection, and creation.
Come with curiosity. Leave with sharper insight into the masks people wear both on the page and in life. Whether you write fiction, memoir, poetry, or journal for yourself, all forms and levels are welcome. The evening will be in English, but you can write in whatever language feels like home. Your work will remain private, and you may share as much as you wish during the conversations.
Details📅 Date: Thursday, September 11, 2025🕖 Time: 19:00–21:00📍 Location: CultureHub Rotterdam (Willem Buytewechstraat 144a, 3024 VG Rotterdam)🎟 Tickets: €7,50🍽 Optional shared meal: +€12,50 (⚠️ served at 18:30 as part of a communal table experience, please arrive early)
💶 Total with meal: €20
