To celebrate 70 years since the institution was founded, the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva is set to organise a number of free events and talks. Over the next few months, people in the city will be given a chance to see how the Large Hadron Collider and other CERN facilities have shaped scientific knowledge and understanding.

CERN promises free events to celebrate 70th anniversary

Officials at CERN have promised a number of public events and talks throughout 2024 to commemorate the founding of the organisation. These will highlight CERN's “remarkable contributions to scientific knowledge, technological innovation and international collaboration in the field of particle physics”, a statement read.

The first public event will be held on January 30. Called “Unveiling the Universe”, the occasion will feature both artists and physicists looking back at what CERN has discovered over the years. The event also includes three moderated debates, a talk from Nobel prize-winning scientist David Gross and a music and sound performance performed by the ensemble Phoenix string quartet from Basel.

Other events on March 7, April 18 and in June and July will describe how the discoveries at CERN impact people in everyday life and what mysteries the world of physics still has to offer scientists and universities today. “CERN extends an invitation to everyone to take part in these inspiring events, which aim to kindle scientific curiosity, honour scientific progress and collaborative efforts, and underscore the role of science in society,” CERN wrote.

What is CERN?

Founded in 1954, CERN was created to bolster scientific knowledge and learning within Europe and to foster peaceful scientific collaboration between countries on the continent. From its base in Meyrin near Geneva, the organisation has been responsible for several scientific inventions and discoveries.

Most will know CERN for the Large Hadron Collider, the 26,6-kilometre particle collider that lies beneath Geneva and parts of France, that helped experts discover the Higgs boson or “God particle” in 2012. Today, CERN boasts 23 member nations and roughly 15.000 workers and guest scientists.

For more information about the events, check out the official website.

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