Historische televisie à la Van Oostrom en Conscience?

Abstract

In this contribution I make a comparative analysis of Het verhaal van Nederland (The story of the Netherlands) and Het verhaal van Vlaanderen (The story of Flanders) as historical productions, from the perspective of public history. I focus on three domains that are important to public historians. First, I will discuss the production contexts of both series, because they determine the framework wherein historians provide their expertise. I then analyse the maintained narrative techniques and how they shape the content, and whether or not these techniques distort the historical narrative. Finally, I make a plea for a study of the broader reception of these series, in order to mark the value of this type of research for public history.