A Launch Worthy of the University’s 150th Anniversary!
On March 13, the Université Catholique de Lille officially kicked off its 150th anniversary celebrations – a day filled with energy, creativity, and emotion. From morning to evening, the campus came alive with shared joy and curiosity.
Morning – The Inauguration of the Observatory
Despite a changing sky of rain, sun, and even hail, students, staff, and astronomy enthusiasts gathered to celebrate the inauguration of the Astronomical Observatory, perched 28 meters high on the Hôtel Académique rooftop. After 30 years of dormancy, this historic site has been beautifully renovated, offering a renewed space for learning and exploration.
Following the words of President-Rector Patrick Scauflaire and the unveiling of the telescope, Raymond Alvarez, former student and passionate astronomer, shared touching memories of his first celestial observations. The event concluded with Vivien Scottez, astrophysicist and member of the European Euclid mission, reflecting on the Observatory’s role in addressing timeless questions about humanity’s place in the universe.
The celebration continued with a captivating performance by Julia, a Creative Campus student, and a dynamic dance show that lit up the campus with bursts of colored powder filling the sky and live projections across the university grounds.
Crédit Art Zone
Afternoon – The “Route 150” Race
In the afternoon, the Vauban campus turned into a massive festival for the Route 150, an exuberant race featuring 50 student and staff teams competing with homemade, upcycled carts. The event mixed sport, humor, and ingenuity, with participants performing choreographed entrances and tackling challenges such as basketball shots, optical maze slaloms, and even magic tricks.
The crowd cheered as teams raced through tight turns and surprising obstacles, while fanzones and giant screens kept everyone engaged. The day concluded with an awards ceremony honoring the most creative and daring teams:
🥇 Fastest Cart: “Funky Carius” (FLSH students)
🎨 Best Design: “Le Monde ne suffit pas” (Technical Services staff)
🎬 Best Show Start: “Les Agri’sa” (ISA students)
🎭 Best Costumes: “Le Monde ne suffit pas” (Technical Services staff)
🎉 Best Paddock Decoration: “International Relations” (staff)
A festive and emotional day that launched the University’s 150th anniversary year with brilliance — under the sign of curiosity, community, and celebration.
Watch the video recap of this memorable day:
