200 jaar KNAW: 1808-2008

Magic of Science

On 8 May 2008, it will be precisely two hundred years since King Louis Napoleon (brother of Napoleon Bonaparte) founded the Royal Institute of Science, Letters and Fine Arts, the forerunner of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences. The Academy is celebrating this landmark year (KNAW 200) by organising a wide variety of different events.

Throughout 2008, the Academy will be focusing on the “Magic of Science”: the adventure of science and how it fascinates and challenges us all, regardless of our age.

The motto is Magic of Science
Science often disproves magic. Research can show, for example, that performing a rain dance will not cause it to rain. But science radiates a magical quality of its own. It is the key to understanding the world and it provides countless astonishing results and magical moments.

Range of events
You can experience the magic of science at one of the many events organised for Academy members and other scientists, schoolchildren, and the public at large. Some examples:

• an anniversary celebration on 8 May 2008: for all Academy members, staff and contacts;
• presentation of the international “Seeing Science” prize for photographs illustrating the magic of science;
• special colloquiums: Academy institutes present their research;
• The Young Academy on wheels: Young Academy members show secondary school pupils how science works;
• mass experiment at FC Feyenoord (which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year): a stadium full of football fans help research the wave;
• lunchtime lectures: for a general audience, held throughout the Academy’s anniversary year;
• guided tours of the Trippenhuis Building, the Academy’s headquarters for the past 200 years.

This website will have the most up-to-date calendar of events and the latest news about KNAW 200. You are cordially invited to celebrate our anniversary year with us!