Leen La Riviere was a pioneer. He devoted his life to realizing many initiatives and projects in the world of arts and culture, including The Continentals, Young Continentals, Continental Kids, Discipel, Christian Artists Seminar, School of Rock, CNV trade union for arts and culture, Continental Art Center and the Christian Artists Academy. He also taught a Master class of Cultural Leadership, giving examples from his life and experience. 

  

He gave lectures and wrote countless books and publications. Besides this, his official functions included board memberships at CNV trade union confederation of the Netherlands (1989-2011) and of political party CDA Rotterdam (2008-2014). In addition, he acted as a consultant to several organizations and institutions.

​

Leen La Rivier was our friend and partner in Christian Artists ministries and initiatives in Eastern Europe after the political changes in 1989. In the country of Bulgaria he worked with many organizations such as Christian Artist organization “Ellion Arts”, Studio 865, Atlantic Club of Bulgaria, New Bulgarian University and the National Academy of Fine Arts. We organized many meetings, events and seminars and he gave lectures on Culture and Christianity, Cultural Leadership, Culture and Religion in Sofia. Many artists, musicians, politicians, pastors and religious leaders visited these meetings and seminars in our effort for democratic changes. We translated, printed and published his books. The Atlantic Club invited him several times to speak at their events on Culture and Politics.

​

As a Christian Artists organisation “Ellion Arts” was a member of the European Christian Artist Association in the Nederland and attended Christian Artist Seminar for more than 15 years. We invited many Bulgarian professional artists and musicians to attend CA Seminar each year. Some of them were teaching at the Christian Artists Academy there too.

Leen La Riviere was part of the ARTS+ Leadership team for many years and helped developing the ARTS+Network of ministries and initiatives.

​

The ministry of Leen and Ria La Riviere was an example and an inspiration for many Christian artists and ministry leaders. In the Netherlands they did a cultural revolution in the Christian community when including all arts and music in the life of believers and establishing CA Seminar as an event for almost 40 years. Leen La Riviere was a leader and visionary with great influence in culture, politics and Christian artist’s communities all over Europe.

 

He was a Knight of the Kingdom of the Netherlands for his cultural achievements.

 

We honor Leen’s life and ministry and we will remember him.