University to celebrate Centenary with ChangeMakers Festival
The University of Leicester is to host a family-friendly ChangeMakers Festival this October to celebrate its Centenary year.
We look forward to welcoming members of the local community, alumni, staff, students and other guests to this free event on the University campus on Saturday 2 October (10.00am to 4.00pm), marking 100 years since the University first opened its doors to students.
The festival will highlight some of the milestones of our first Century with a trail across campus – taking visitors to the University’s resident juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex, Jane, our real-life periodic table of elements, as well as exploring how researchers discovered the resting place of King Richard III in a Leicester car park – and much more.
There will also be a number of talks and demonstrations from academic experts, covering topics as diverse as the latest in cardio research with Professor Andre Ng, a chance to hear from Leicester’s Paralympic Gold medallist Nick Cummins, plus an in-depth look at the founding of the University as a ‘living memorial’ with historian Elizabeth Blood.
Families can also enjoy exhibitions and interactive demonstrations including the new Our 100 illustrations on the lawn of the Grade-II listed Fielding Johnson Building, and take a self-guided campus tour narrated by Michael Attenborough – who will also share the story of his family’s close ties to Leicester.
The packed schedule will feature an outdoor cinema, performances on a special Centenary stage with a variety of African, Caribbean, Chinese and South Asian musicians and dancers representing Leicester’s cultural diversity, plus workshops with local artists at the Attenborough Arts Centre including poppy garland making.
A wide range of food vendors will also be available in the newly refurbished Percy Gee Building, home to our Student Hub and Leicester Students’ Union.
The University formally launched its Centenary celebrations at an event on Wednesday 1 September, where University President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nishan Canagarajah, called on members of the Leicester community to get involved with the major milestone.
Explore the University of Leicester’s Centenary celebrations, Our 100 and more about our story so far at le.ac.uk/centenary.