Opening ceremony for the University hall
The opening of the University hall on September 2 was one of the great occasions in the history of the University of Bergen.
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“This is a marvellous day. We have been waiting for this hall for a long time, and it is great to see it standing here in all its glory. It will benefit both the city, the university and all of western Norway,” said rector Dag Rune Olsen at the opening ceremony.
In his speech he extended his thanks to the government for the magnificent building, and wished the audience a hearty welcome.
“I am already looking forward to the many occasions that Bergen and the university will mark here in this hall,” Olsen said.
The University hall, renovated as part of UiB's Museum Project, is located in the southern wing of The natural history museum. It has 400 seats, and will be used for conferences, debates, culture nights, concerts, and the great occasions of the academic year.
Even though it officially opened on September 2. the University hall had already been used for both the PhD promotion and the opening night of the Bergen Student’s society the weekend before.
Collaboration between academia and society was the core idea of museum founder Wilhelm Friman Koren Christie, rector Olsen reminded the crowd.
“Touching on the ideals of the enlightenment, Christie wished to contribute to the building of the nation and to the public discourse. The new University hall reintroduces this meeting place, and we will carry Christie’s intentions with us onwards,” Olsen said.