The Sorbonne and the Academic Palace will open their doors on the occasion of the 39th European Heritage Days whose theme, «Sustainable Heritage», resonates particularly with their secular history and their mission of transmission for a sustainable future Hic et ubique terrarum – “Here and everywhere on Earth” – as the university’s motto dictates.
The European Heritage Days are an opportunity for everyone to travel through the history of the Sorbonne and admire the architectural and artistic marvels that symbolize this place of knowledge and knowledge. The itinerary, embellished with explanatory panels and works carried out by students of high schools and art schools of the Paris Academy, will allow visitors to discover some of the most prestigious places and steeped in history of the Sorbonne.
Thus, upon entering the heart of the Academic Palace, visitors will be able to admire the large hall and its monumental statues of Archimedes and Homer, the peristyle, decorated with wall paintings illustrating the history of Letters and Sciences and in which are hidden singular «ghosts», the majestic large amphitheatre, the Richelieu salon and its treasures, the Grand Salon, the Salle des Actes and the Salle des Autorités. The latter will host for the occasion an exhibition dedicated to university togas, their history – their origin goes back to the Middle Ages – and their symbolism.
If the Salle Gréard, where the International Olympic Committee was created on 23 June 1894 by Pierre de Coubertin - a symbolic place while Paris will host the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games - will unfortunately not be accessible, However, it will be possible to admire the latest works to have made their entrance in the Sorbonne, which had not happened since 1978! Following a commission from the Rector of the Paris Academy and the Chancellery of the Universities of Paris, the artist Christian Guémy, alias C215, created seven contemporary works, inaugurated in May 2019. This series of canvases entitled «Aux grandes femmes, la Sorbonne reconnaissance» consists of portraits of illustrious women who have all studied or taught at the University of Paris: Elisabeth Garett Anderson, Jeanne Chauvin, Marie Curie, Simone de Beauvoir, Simone Weil, Jacqueline de Romilly and Françoise Héritier.
The prestigious spaces of the Academic Palace will also be the setting for even more contemporary achievements, a true lasting heritage in the making: works of students from the professional path will be highlighted throughout the visit. Indeed, the Paris Academy, which has a rich catalogue of demanding training courses, from feather looms to boilermaking, wood, leather goods, jewellery, glassware, etc. and who can rely on the know-how of its Arts & Design Campus, is proud to present the work of its young art artisans!
The Heritage Days are also a unique opportunity to enter the chapel which, overlooking the main courtyard, houses the tomb of the Cardinal de Richelieu, a masterpiece of classical French funerary sculpture by François Girardon. The Sorbonne Interuniversity Library, as well as the Louis Liard Hall and the Richelieu Amphitheatre, are normally open to students and researchers only.
Finally, this year again, children will be in the spotlight and will be able to share a playful moment thanks to a booklet-games specifically created for them.
Come and meet a heritage that bears witness to nearly eight centuries of history and is resolutely focused on a sustainable future!
www.sorbonne.fr
@SorbonneFr