Leiden, November 10, 2021 - In 2022, Leiden will be the first European city to present a 365-day science festival. Perfect for anyone with a curious mind, the festival will explore science, knowledge, art, and skills through various scheduled exhibitions, workshops, excursions, activities, and events. The major issues of our time will be discussed during international conferences and scientific meetings. But that's not all; Leiden European City of Science 2022 will also offer an intriguing program in which a different topic is explored every day. This will invite local residents to interact directly with science. From conferences to neighbourhood initiatives: Leiden European City of Science 2022 shares some of the most important and interesting current topics of knowledge with the heart of society.

International launch
On Wednesday, November 10, the international launch of Leiden European City of Science 2022 took place at the Naturalis Biodiversity Centre. This date was not chosen by chance, however. Exactly 20 years ago, UNESCO declared November 10 as World Science Day for Peace and Development. During the launch of Leiden2022, prominent international guests spoke, such as Shamila Nair-Bedouelle, Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences of UNESCO in Paris, and Jean-Eric Paquet, Director-General of Research and Innovation at the European Commission in Brussels. Intendant Lucien Geelhoed, who is responsible for the development of the programme, introduced 22 highlights to expect from Leiden2022. The launch was concluded with a speech by Ingrid van Engelshoven, Minister of Education, Culture and Science.

365-day Science Festival
On January 1, it's all about the EURO, and on April 4, it's about PLACEBO. In 2022, each day will have its own theme. The annual four-part program covers the entire knowledge spectrum: from fundamental science to citizen science. The Year of Events consists of hundreds of public activities throughout Leiden based on science, knowledge, art, and skills. Included in this is the 10th edition of the largest interdisciplinary science conference in Europe, EuroScience Open Forum (ESOF), which will take place from July 13 to 16. In September, young, talented researchers from all over the world will come to Leiden for the 33rd final of the EU Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS). And that's not all. Through the co-creation project, Knowledge Through the Neighbourhoods (Kennis door de Wijken), activities based around one of 365 interesting, accessible topics will be organised every day in one of the 101 neighbourhoods of Leiden, Zoeterwoude, Voorschoten, Oegstgeest, and Leiderdorp. 

Launch of house style, website, and tear-off calendar. 
The launch also included the presentation of Leiden European City of Science's brand new house style and website. Here, it's all about curiosity. Each activity has a unique QR code that directs visitors through a virtual peephole to the appropriate page on the website. The QR logos are surrounded by colourful designs, creating a sea of ​​flowers or a dazzling kaleidoscopic vision. A unique tear-off calendar with 365 days of topics has also been launched and will be distributed free of charge at other various times and locations afterwards.

Why Leiden?
Since 1575, a combination of talent and knowledge has brought Leiden development, change, and innovation. It is, therefore, only logical for Leiden to profile itself as a European city of knowledge. With this in mind, a number of city partners teamed up in 2017. Together, they managed to bring the title of European City of Science to Leiden.

Leiden European City of Science 2022 was organised by a specially-established foundation made up of the Municipality of Leiden, Leiden University, LUMC, and University of Applied Sciences Leiden, with support from EuroScience in Strasbourg and the European Commission in Brussels. Under the leadership of director Meta Knol, Leiden2022 has quickly developed into a network organisation that connects diverse partners at a local, national, and international level. That means that in 2022, Leiden will be the hotspot of European science!