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On Saturday 22 January, Leiden European City of Science 2022 was officially opened by Minister of OCW Robbert Dijkgraaf. 

In the opening film of Leiden European City of Science, biologist and artist Auke-Florian Hiemstra, attached to Naturalis Biodiversity Center, takes an adventurous journey through Leiden where he has a series of special encounters. He meets astrophysicist Ewine van Dishoeck, singer Nynke Laverman, physicist Carlo Rovelli and many more special national and international guests. 

Since the official opening in January, many activities took place, on a local, national and international level. From the start, the Year of Events is brimming with activities, events, workshops, exhibitions, lectures and adventures. Together with local communities, a lot of small scaled, but highly impactful events were created so far. Every single day. Every step along the way.

The first 180 days show the focus on Public Engagement with Science. New ways are found to create impact, by means of co-creation, participatory events and fresh, bottom-up practices.

I think we have to spend more time, energy and money to make this engagement between our research results and society. That's our public duty. (...) I am really proud. As a scientist, as a minister, and as a citizen.

Robbert Dijkgraaf, Minister of Education, Culture and Science

Robbert Dijkgraaf, Minister of Education, Culture and Science visited us last week during ESOF2022 Leiden. Together with the Leiden2022 team, he visited the various locations of the conference in Leiden and the European Science in the City Festival.