A magical reception in the Rectorate building
On Friday, the atrium of the Rectorate building in Dechenstraße was transformed into a magical “fairy forest”. Among lovingly decorated jungle plants and to the mystical sounds of the dressed-up creatures present, Rector Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Michael Hoch - in the role of a charming warlock - welcomed this year's princely couple, Prince Oliver I (Kleine) and Bonna Maike I (Dr. Derenbach). Surrounded by numerous dressed-up members of the University, Rector Hoch staged an amusing, almost fairytale scenario in which the University was in “distress” - a tongue-in-cheek allusion to current challenges in the competition of excellence among German universities. The princely couple had to pass a number of tests in order to finally triumph as the saviors of the academic world of fables - tests which they of course passed with flying colors. As the crowning glory, they were awarded specially made university medals.
The numerous guests included representatives from politics, carnival, science and Bonn city society. The junior princly couple Lukas I and Mia-Lani I and “UNiverso” Gaurang I from the carnival society UN Funken e.V. were also present. However, the longest journey was made by a delegation of students from the partner university Waseda in Japan. As a special surprise, the revelers from the Far East received medals from various Bonn carnival societies.
More photos are available in the photo gallery1.
A jolly tour of the P26
The University carnival continued on Saturday when Prince Oliver I and Bonna Maike I made a stop at “P26” - the University's show window in Bonn's city center - on their “shopping tour”. With a large entourage, they moved into the new meeting place for science and urban society. Between millennia-old Egyptian finds and artistically prepared plaster casts of important works of art, which were specially staged for the reception with “cardboard noses”, the princely couple was offered a multifaceted insight into the cultural heritage of the University.
A particular highlight of the day was the presentation of the latest jewel in the art history collection: a plaster cast of a statue of Bacchus, which had disappeared from the University's care during the Second World War and only recently returned to the “bosom of the alma mater” after decades. The returnee was presented under the expert guidance of Prof. Dr. Harald Wolter-von dem Knesebeck, head of the Paul Clemen Museum.
More photos can be found in the photo gallery2.
Looking ahead to the days of fun
The carnival at the University of Bonn does not end here - on the contrary! While on Weiberfastnacht Thursday and Roses Monday all members of the University have the day “off” for the "cultivation of Rhineland customs", the University will once again take part in the Roses Monday parade in Bonn with great enthusiasm. And, as every year, there will once again be the much sought-after University rubber ducks to catch.
For all those who don't want to be in the middle of the celebrations, P26 will be open during the “jolly days”: From Friday, February 28 to Sunday, March 2, the exhibitions and museums there will be open daily from 2 to 6 p.m. - while on Veilchendienstag Tuesday, the Infopoint and the Knowledge Lab Uni Bonn (KLUB) will welcome visitors from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
