CERN70 official event on 1 October: your questions answered

CERN celebrates its 70th anniversary on 29 September 2024 and there have been events and activities all year, building up to the official CERN70 event on 1 October.

 

1. EVENT: What is happening on 1 October at CERN?

On Tuesday, 1 October, an official high-level ceremony will welcome political leaders from Member and Associate Member States, as well as from Observers. With speeches from the Director-General and the President of Council, as well as from Heads of State or Government, the event will showcase the Laboratory’s rich past and bright future. A series of short films will highlight significant milestones in CERN’s history, and the event will close with a performance from the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande (OSR).

 

2. WEBCAST AND SOCIAL MEDIA: How can I be part of this event?

Due to capacity constraints, the auditorium cannot accommodate the CERN community. There is only enough space for the officially invited delegations and external guests.

The event will nonetheless be broadcast live via CERN webcast, starting at 3 p.m. and scheduled to finish at 4.30 p.m.

The webcast will also be retransmitted to the Main Auditorium (Building 500) on the Meyrin site and the BE auditorium (774-R-013) on the Prévessin site, should you wish to watch the event alongside your colleagues.  

You can also join the conversation on social media, tagging @CERN and using the hashtag #CERN70.

 

3. SITE INFORMATION: Which services and car parks will be unavailable?

The CERN Community Support Centre (CCSC) in Building 33 will be unavailable to the CERN community from 11 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. as it will be exclusively registering press and invited CERN70 guests. However, the Service Desk will continue to provide support:

• by email service.desk@cern.ch, access.registration@cern.ch
• by phone 77777 (+41 22 76 77777)
• or through the service portal

CERN Science Gateway, the Globe of Science and Innovation and IdeaSquare will be closed. Access to this area will be strictly controlled by police and security services.

Access to the ATLAS site (LHC Point 1) will be severely disrupted due to the convoys of delegations, police and security services.

Access to the Complexe Sportif de Maisonnex may also be disrupted.

The visitor car park next to CERN Science Gateway will be closed on 30 September and 1 October. The Les Cerisiers car park (next to Buildings 4 and 5) will be closed, as will part of the Greinacher car park (under the power lines). These car parks will be used by the invited delegations.

 

4. NEWCOMERS: What about the newcomers arriving at CERN on 1 October?

More than 150 newcomers will start their CERN contracts on this unique day. The CERN Community Support Centre at Building 33 will be open from 7 to 11 a.m. and from 3.30 to 6.30 p.m. to finalise the registration formalities that will have already begun online. Newcomers are recommended to arrive early. Their departmental administrative officers and supervisors will then welcome them into the team. Because the Globe will be unavailable, the Welcome Session will exceptionally take place on 2 October in the Council Chamber.

     

5. PLANNING: Should I avoid the CERN Meyrin site that day?

If you are expecting a newcomer, please make the necessary arrangements to welcome them.

If teleworking is compatible with your functions, you may prefer to work from home to avoid traffic disruptions. In that case, please submit an EDH absence request, which will need to be signed by your supervisor.

If being on site is essential, please anticipate traffic disruptions and plan your journey accordingly.

This official event is set to be a moment to remember, as invited representatives from across CERN’s Member States, Associate Member States and Observers come together to celebrate this historic milestone.