People, ideas, spaces - 50 years shaping Europe

Celebrating the EUI’s journey and shaping the next chapter together.

Read the EUI50 anniversary report

The presence of our distinguished guests helped make this milestone a memorable occasion, reflecting on five decades of academic excellence, research, and engagement with Europe and beyond. Thank you for celebrating our 50th anniversary with us. We look forward to continuing this journey together.

50 anniversary - Pannel with Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament

Síofra O'Leary, Lawyer and former president of the European Court of Human Rights Joseph H. H. Weiler, sEuropean Union Jean Monnet Chair at New York University School of Law and Senior Fellow of the Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard.

Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness - European Commission

António Costa President of the European Council and Henry Foy, The Financial Times Brussels Bureau Chef

50 anniversary- Italian President Sergio Mattarella and EUI President Patrizia Nanz

50 anniversary- Antonio Jose Marthins Seguro - president of the Portuguese republic

Relive the celebrations

From 7–9 May 2026, the European University Institute marked its 50th anniversary with a vibrant programme of events held across multiple locations, bringing together members of the EUI community and beyond.

Catch up on the highlights, key moments, and reflections from the anniversary events.

News

EUI at 50: putting knowledge at the centre of Europe’s future

The EUI celebrated its 50th anniversary with a wide-ranging programme of events centred around one core idea: knowledge must remain at the heart of Europe’s future.

President Sergio Mattarella visits the EUI for its 50th anniversary celebrations

On 8 May 2026, Sergio Mattarella, President of the Italian Republic, visited the EUI as part of the celebrations marking the Institute’s 50th anniversary.

EUI 50th anniversary speech by Professor Sabino Cassese

On 7 May 2026, Sabino Cassese delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the EUI’s 50th anniversary celebrations. The address followed his acceptance of the EUI’s inaugural 'Reimagining Europe' Award, which honours members of the EUI community whose work is making a lasting impact across Europe.

Ministerial Summit launches debate on universities’ future role

European ministers, institutional and academic leaders gathered in Florence to mark the EUI's 50th anniversary, launching the Florence Declaration and a Europe-wide debate on the role of universities in shaping Europe’s future.

View all 50th anniversary news

OPEN

From 7 May to 12 October 2026, OPEN: A new civic space for art and science opened Palazzo Buontalenti to the city as the pilot project of the EUI's 50th anniversary. With free admission, the exhibition brought contemporary art and academic research together and welcomed almost 7,000 people of 94 nationalities, with guided tours by the art historians of MUS.E and the volunteers of FAI Delegazione di Firenze. On 8 May, the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella, visited the exhibition. The results are presented in the OPEN 2026 report on the pilot edition. The second edition, OPEN 2027, is in preparation.

OPEN 2026 report on the pilot edition

Read more