An extensive programme of festivities will be taking place in June around the theme of inclusion in honour of the 405th anniversary of the founding of the University of Groningen.
Translation by Thomas Ansell
The university will put on a weeklong celebration in honour of opening its doors in 1614, including the return of The Night of Art and Science on the 8th of June. The one-night festival in the city centre had its final edition in 2016, and its very first edition was organised in coordination with the university’s 395th anniversary back in 2009.
OOG TV reports that the week will start with the grand reopening of the University Museum on 5 June. On the 6th of June, 400 researchers from around the world will take part in a conference focusing on tolerance. On the 7th, a cake bake off – and tasting session – will take place on the Broerplein. The faculties of the universities will playfully battle it out with quizzes and sporting events on the 12th of June.
All students and staff from the university, and their partners, are invited to an anniversary ball at the Martiniplaza on the 13th, and the following day, honorary doctorates will be presented to cellular biologist Titia de Lange and historian Philipp Blom. An alumni day will be held on the 15th of June.
The theme of the festivities, “all inclusive”, is intentionally meant to extend beyond the staff and students of the university. In 2014, the University of Groningen celebrated its 400th anniversary with an entire year of events and activities, including a film and a number of original songs written for the occasion.
