Three days of events bringing together institutions, research, art, and public engagement to celebrate the first 50 years of the European University Institute (EUI) and to reaffirm the role of universities in Europe’s future.
The celebrations will focus on reflecting on the history and future of the continent, as well as on the contribution of academia to contemporary society. Speakers will include the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, the President of the European Council, António Costa, the President of Portugal, António José Seguro, the European Commission Executive Vice-President Roxana Minzatu, European Commission Executive Vice-President, and Former President European Court of Human Rights, Siofra O'Leary.
From 7 to 9 May 2026, Florence will host a wide-ranging programme of initiatives bringing together political leaders, academics, and representatives of civil society to reflect on the present and future of Europe.
Founded in 1976 as an innovative project of European cooperation, the EUI is now an international centre of excellence in the social sciences and humanities, and a hub for dialogue between academia, institutions, and citizens. The Institute is a dynamic international community, deeply European and at the same time global, bringing together over 1,000 scholars from more than 90 countries and 24 EU Member States. The EUI’s 50th anniversary is an opportunity to highlight knowledge as a vital public resource in a rapidly changing world.
In this context, as EUI President Patrizia Nanz emphasised:
“New generations clearly express a need for Europe, and the data confirm this: according to recent surveys (Eurobarometer), the sense of belonging to Europe has not been this strong for over 20 years. Citizens - especially young people - are calling for more Europe, which does not necessarily mean they want Europe as it currently is. Our role at the EUI is to address the major issues of our time: artificial intelligence and its impact on our lives, the lack of security we feel every time we read the news, and the threat climate change poses to our collective futures. The Institute is a place where Europe thinks, debates, imagines, and ultimately builds its future.”
Event programme:
• 7 May: The celebrations begin with a ceremony at the Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino. In the afternoon, political leaders and ministers from across Europe will gather at the Badia Fiesolana for a summit on the universities of the future. In the evening, the exhibition OPEN will reopen a new wing of Palazzo Buontalenti - formerly a Medici casino and now home to the School of Transnational Governance - to the public. Curated by Sergio Risaliti and Stefania Rispoli, the exhibition brings together works by six contemporary artists exploring the relationship between science and art. The public opening is on 8 and 9 May.
• 8 May: The Badia Fiesolana will host the first edition of the EUIdeas research festival. Dedicated to the theme ‘The Power of Knowledge’, the event will feature a full day of debate and exchange between the academic community and stakeholders on contemporary Europe. A rich programme of cultural initiatives will take place throughout the day, open to the public upon registration. All discussions will be held in English.
• 9 May: On the occasion of Europe Day, the Historical Archives of the European Union at Villa Salviati will continue their annual Open Day tradition with a programme of activities including guided visits of the villa and archival repositories, offering insight into the history of European integration and its preservation in Florence. The programme also includes audiovisual screenings, readings of historical documents, and an exhibition dedicated to sustainable archives.
The 50th anniversary celebrations are also made possible thanks to the support of Fondazione CR Firenze, a key partner in strengthening the Institute’s connection with the local community by promoting cultural, scientific, and civic engagement initiatives.