The University of Groningen has turned 395!

The University of Groningen celebrated its 395th anniversary this year with all kinds of festivities including dance, music, multimedia and of course academia between March and June. One of the highlights was the Night of Arts & Science in Groningen city centre. This festival, comprising lectures, workshops and various performances, attracted about 15,000 visitors and cast a warm glow over the streets of Groningen. An Alumni Day was organized on the same day, where alumni could take a trip down memory lane with their fellow ex-students and visit their old faculties.

Sculpture project

At the University of Groningen’s 380th anniversary in 1994, a twenty-year sculpture project entitled ‘De Verbeelding’ was introduced. New works of art will be unveiled until 2014, when the University celebrates its 400th anniversary. These works are inspired by the University in the widest possible sense of the word, for example by its history or by famous scientists. If you ever find yourself on the Academieplein, don’t forget to have a good look at the ‘Tree of Knowledge’, the planting of which marked the start of the sculpture project. The Ubbo Emmius monument around the tree contains the names of the works of arts that have been created since. You can also see all the sculptures on the website, and perhaps start planning your next visit to Groningen...