Culture and Academia reign supreme this weekend in Groningen

The 400th anniversary celebrations of the University of Groningen will be in full swing this weekend. Starting at 2 p.m. on Friday 23 May, the University will invite the general public to do their bit for the Gift for Infinity: Let Old be Gold. That evening, there will be a specially compiled spectacle of music, dance and projections on the Academieplein, the heart of the University since 1614.

Saturday 24 May is the Night of Arts & Sciences. Sixteen different locations have been chosen to showcase more than 200 bands, speakers, experiments, talk shows, performances, exhibitions and films. In addition, the five-star Voor Eeuwig open-air musical show will be performed on the Zernike Campus in Groningen until 25 May.

Friday 23 May: all aboard for Let Old be Gold

Many of the activities during the RUG400 month revolve around the theme chosen by the public: Let Old be Gold. Learn more about what this means and make your mark by taking part in a sport with Mark Tuitert, attending a lecture by a University of Groningen professor, doing a quiz with Joep van Deudekom (Factcheckers) or any of the other exciting activities. There is something for everyone: schoolchildren, students, adults and more senior citizens. Info: www.rug400.nl and www.rugsteunt.nl

Friday 23 May: A Gift for Infinity; Let Old be Gold from the artistic angle

The evening concludes (at 10.30 p.m.) with a unique music, dance and projection spectacle - A Gift for Infinity – featuring the Noord Nederlands Orkest, Club Guy & Roni, WERC Collective and Jan Klug! The University of Groningen and these artists will treat the public to an artistic view of Let Old be Gold on the Academieplein, the home of the University since 1614. Admission is free. Watch the teaser:

Saturday 24 May: The Night of Arts & Sciences

The Night kicks off with the première of the anniversary film For Infinity-The Movie, which will be shown continuously in the Pathé cinema for the rest of the evening. Tangarine, Jacco Gardner, Douwe Bob and Town of Saints will be performing on the Vismarkt. The Academy Building is the venue for a comedy show by Boom Chicago, and the legendary Lebowski Achievers will appear in the University Library. A unique Ig Nobel Night has been organized in the Der-Aakerk and of course there is also the exhibition celebrating 400 years of academia in Groningen. Visitors are invited to attend night-time lectures by Diederik Jekel, Vincent Icke, Douwe Draaisma and happiness professor Leo Bormans in the Groninger Museum. The Night will finish with Nobody Beats The Drum, accompanied by a spectacular lightning generator. Info and ticket sales: www.denachtvankunstenwetenschap.nl

Wednesday 21 to Sunday 25 May: Five-star open-air show Voor Eeuwig

Voor Eeuwig , the open-air musical theatre show, will be performed on the Zernike Campus Groningen until 25 May. This co-production by the Noord Nederlands Toneel and the University of Groningen is about the relationship between the University and the residents of the city and surrounding areas.