About the EUI and its 50th anniversary
Founded in 1976 by six member states, later joined by 19 countries, the European University Institute (EUI) is a leading institution for academic education in the social sciences and humanities. At the start the EUI was a revolutionary idea: a European research university, advancing the European spirit and engaging the public on the major issues facing European societies. 50 years later this is relevant more than ever: our continent needs a place of reflection, research and exploration to tackle existential questions.
- 24 Member States
- Over 100 nationalities
- More than 120 global partners
- A community of over 1,000 scholars
The anniversary celebrations look ahead to the next 50 years, reaffirming that knowledge is a public good, essential to democratic resilience, informed policymaking, and Europe’s role in a changing world order. We aim to bridge disciplines, sectors, and generations, providing direction for institutions as well as society at large.
Read more about the EUI
Read more about the EUI
Press releases
Explore the press releases on the EUI’s 50th anniversary, featuring key moments, events, and institutional milestones.
Access our 50th anniversary press releases
Access our 50th anniversary press releases
Photos
A Flickr gallery showcasing the campus and selected institutional and graduation ceremony events.
EUI 50th anniversary May 7th
Opening ceremony
Opening ceremony
Ministerial summit
Ministerial summit
EUI Alumni Conference
EUI Alumni Conference
OPEN art exhibition
OPEN art exhibition
EUI 50th anniversary May 8th
Visit of President Sergio Mattarella
Visit of President Sergio Mattarella
EUIdeas Refettorio Plenaries and Parallel sessions
EUIdeas Refettorio Plenaries and Parallel sessions
EUIdeas Buonsanti Plenaries and Parallel sessions
EUIdeas Buonsanti Plenaries and Parallel sessions
EUIdeas Teatro Plenaries and Parallel sessions
EUIdeas Teatro Plenaries and Parallel sessions
Networking, side activities and sponsors
Networking, side activities and sponsors
EUI general pictures
Pictures from the Campus
Pictures from the Campus
Press Coverage
Read the most relevant articles related to the 50th anniversary.
- Paparazzi, a tv report mentioning the European University Institute (min 40’), Rai Play, 13 May 2026.
- IUE, 50 anni di formazione universitaria europea, RAI reporting from the European University Institute including individual interviews with academics, RaiNews.it, 9 May 2026.
- 9 maggio, festa dell'Europa: un'occasione anche per riflettere, an article dedicated to the European University Institute’s 50th anniversary, RaiNews.it, 9 May 2026.
- Mattarella omaggia i futuri carabinieri e l’Istituto europeo Poi a San Miniato sulle orme di La Pira, an article mentioning the European University Institute, Corriere della Sera, 9 May 2026.
- Il 9 maggio è la Giornata dell’Europa. E l’IUE di Firenze compie 50 anni, an article dedicated to the European University Institute’s 50th anniversary, La Nazione, 9 May 2026.
- Università europea, sogno reale. Festa a Fiesole per i 50 anni: "Siamo una forza diplomatica", an article dedicated to the European University Institute’s 50th anniversary, La Nazione, 8 May 2026.
- POLITICO – Brussels Playbook, an article mentioning the European University Institute, POLITICO, 7 May 2026.
- Von der Leyen, l'Istituto Universitario Europeo è un luogo unico, an article mentioning the European University Institute, ANSA, 7 May 2026.
- Passa da Firenze il futuro dell'Europa, an article dedicated to the European University Institute’s 50th anniversary, TGR Toscana, 7 May 2026.
- Die Deutungshoheit über Europa zurückerobern, an article dedicated to the European University Institute’s 50th anniversary, FAZ, 7 May 2026.
- Het vijftigjarige European University Institute wil geen ‘fabriek voor eurocraten’ zijn, an article dedicated to the European University Institute’s 50th anniversary, NRC, 6 May 2026.
- Op bezoek in het Toscaanse toekomstlaboratorium voor meer Europa: “Technologie, defensie en veiligheid, op die vlakken willen we richtinggevend zijn”, an article dedicated to the European University Institute’s 50th anniversary, De Standaard, 6 May 2026.
- Roeland Scholtalbers: 'EUI is op academisch gebied een mini-Europa', a podcast and radio interview with Director of Communications Roeland Scholtalbers, BNR, 5 May 2026.
Contact
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![Portrait picture of Marilea Poppa]()
Marilea Poppa
Press Assistant
Communications Service
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![Portrait picture of Gianpaolo Ansalone]()
Gianpaolo Ansalone
External collaborator
Italian press
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![Portrait picture of Giorgio Tessadri]()
Giorgio Tessadri
Communications Officer
Communications Service
Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies
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![Portrait picture of Elena Torta]()
Elena Torta
Head of Sector, Institutional Communications
Communications Service
For any queries please contact:
email: eui.press@eui.eu
Mobile: +39 349 5202304