The University City opened with a royal visit and a street party: highlights from the celebration
The official opening of the University City, Aarhus’ newest neighbourhood, took place on 21 and 22 May. Around 10,000 people made their way to the University City to celebrate the journey from hospital to university. Here are some of the highlights.
“It’s a great honour for me to declare the University City open.”
So said Brian Bech Nielsen, rector of Aarhus University, after HM the King cut the ribbon at the University City opening ceremony in the City Auditorium at the first of two inaugural events organised by Aarhus University, FEAS and the Aarhus University Research Foundation last week.
On 21 May, about 700 invited guests attended event at which HM the King officially opened the University City. On the same occasion, officials including Jørgen Lang, director of the Aarhus University Research Foundation, welcomed guests to the latest addition to the Aarhus campus, the University City: a development that both brings the university together and opens it up to the city and the business community.
The University City is the result of a vision that took shape 10 years ago, when FEAS purchased the old hospital buildings, and which has now been realised with the final transformation from a local hospital to a ‘university city’.
On 22 May, the University City hosted a big public street party and open day for all: from near and far, from AU and beyond. There were guided tours, open house events, speed talks by the university’s researchers and experts involved in the development of the University City – and concerts on three stages. The day culminated with a concert – a closely guarded secret until the day of the event – by the legendary Aarhus band TV2 on the University Square in the heart of the University City.
Read on for highlights from the event, and check out more photos on the universitybyen.dk
