Happy Birthday Uppsala University!
On 7 October it is 535 years since the first teaching started at Uppsala University. Also, the University Main Building is 125 years old this year. Welcome to a birthday celebration with singing, music and lectures.
The programme
Short lecture by docent Carl Frängsmyr:
‘125 years in the University Main Building’
The Royal Academic Orchestra will be performing music by, among others, Alfvén, Borodin, Bernstein and Verdi, conducted by director musices professor Stefan Karpe.
Singing by Värmland nation’s choir
Guest appearance by opera singers Alexandra Büchel and Fredrik Zetterström
Host: Per Ström
Master of ceremonies: Anna Liv Jonsson
Time and place
Date: 7 October
Time: 3.00 pm
Place: University Main Building
Free admission
Short history
Uppsala University was founded in 1477 – 535 years ago. In a bull, issued on initiative of archbishop Jakob Ulvsson, pope Sixtus IV gave permission for a university to be established in Uppsala. The 2 July the University’s letter of privilege was signed by the Privy Council, led by Sten Sture. The 21 September the pope’s bull was ceremoniously brought to Uppsala. The teaching at the new university started on 7 October.
The foundation stone for the University building, penned by architect Harman Teodor Holmgren, was laid as early as 1879 by king Oscar II. In its place there had previously been a large academic stable, which now was demolished. In spring 1887 the University building was opened with pomp and circumstance. The building was a great pedagogical advancement. A number of lecture halls were now available to the students and most of them are still being used today. Previously, teaching had been done in Gustavianum in two cold halls with no fireplaces for heating. The University building is still today Uppsala University’s main building. Now it is used for lectures, conferences, concerts and academic ceremonies.
Anna Malmberg