Leiden University is travelling to the past and the future for its 450th birthday
Leiden University is celebrating its 450th anniversary in 2025 with a feast for the eyes, ears and spirit. The anniversary year opens with an extra special Dies Natalis on 7 February. Highlights includes an alumni festival, three exhibitions and a canal concert.
The theme of the anniversary year is: Ahead of the Times. For centuries, we have worked to shape the society of tomorrow, and this anniversary offers an opportunity to reflect on that legacy. We are celebrating the impact of our research and teaching while charting our course for the decades to come.
Annetje Ottow, President of the Executive Board, remarks: 'In these financially challenging times for universities, it is especially important to come together and express our immense pride in our history, our university community, and our global impact’ says Annetje Ottow, President of the Executive Board. ‘A particularly inspiring example of this celebration is the creation of a website showcasing the best of Leiden University. The Top 450 will feature contributions from students, staff, alumni, and partners, highlighting what they cherish most about our university.’
How we will celebrate
We are celebrating 450 years of Leiden University together: with students, staff, alumni and our friends. It is an opportunity to strengthen our ties with our community. The themes of the celebration are the university’s past and future, working with partners in Leiden and The Hague, and showcasing our wide-ranging impact.
A birthday celebration: Dies Natalis on 7 February
The Dies Natalis on 7 February will be an extra special one. Leiden musicians from Jong K&G will lead the cortège – the procession on the university’s birthday which, in a centuries-old tradition, takes students and professors from the Academy Building to Pieterskerk. This cortège was also accompanied by music in 1575. The ceremony in Pieterskerk will feature the conferral of three honorary doctorates, a performance by science rapper Jon Chase celebrating 450 years of Leiden University and a quiz hosted by university historian Pieter Slaman.
‘The jubilee year offers a perspective on the resilience of our university’ - Kim Duistermaat, Director of Campus The Hague
Alumni celebrate their alma mater on 8 February
Hundreds of alumni will gather to Leiden the next day, 8 February, for the Dies Natalis for alumni with an exciting programme of activities. Twan Huys will host a discussion alumnus Bartjan Wegter (EU counter-terrorism coordinator) and Dr Sara Polak (an American Studies scholar) and there will be lectures and workshops by alumni including pianist Mike Boddé and NRC journalist Wouter Noort.
Essay exploring the university’s mission
To mark the university’s 450th anniversary, university historian Pieter Slaman has written an essay on the university’s role of service and freedom between 1575 and 2025, titled For Progress.
At its founding in 1575, Leiden University was given two missions by Prince William of Orange: to serve society and to uphold freedom. These principles remain central but also raise questions: What kind of freedom was intended, and whose? And what did service entail? In his essay, Slaman takes the reader on a whistle-stop tour of history in search of answers to these questions. The journey concludes with a call to action for Leiden University today. The essay will be distributed on 7 and 8 February and will also be available online.
Visit our jubilee exhibitions
Starting 7 February, the Plants and Planets exhibition will open at the Old Observatory (Hortus botanicus). From 23 April, the Hortus will also host the outdoor exhibition The Eternal Student, featuring unique images of 450 years of studying at Leiden University. Later in the summer, an exhibition in The Hague will focus on the impact of 25 years of Campus The Hague.
Around the Rapenburg
From 10 February, free Around the Rapenburg maps will be available at the Tourist Information Office (while supplies last). This map takes visitors along the canal where the university first opened its doors in 1575, showcasing many historical landmarks.
‘What I love most about the anniversary is how students and staff are celebrating together. I’m especially looking forward to the Canal Concert!' - Roel Kwast, Law Assessor
Enjoy the Canal Concert and more
On 6 July, Leiden University will host a spectacular jubilee edition of the Canal Concert on the Rapenburg in collaboration with the concert foundation.
LUF Children's fund
Throughout the year, the Leiden University Fund (LUF) will focus on research projects by Leiden scholars aimed at creating a better future for vulnerable children. The initiative highlights how science can improve opportunities for the next generation, and public support can help make a difference.
The jubilee year also features podcasts, lectures, guided tours, tree planting, sports events and more. New activities will be added throughout the year. The latest programme details can be found at universiteitleiden.nl/450.