On 7 May 2026, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, celebrated the European University Institute with a special video message delivered for the opening ceremony of the 50th anniversary held at the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino.

Reflecting on the role of research, democratic values, and independent academic knowledge in a time of geopolitical change, Ursula von der Leyen highlighted the EUI's excellence over the past fifty years, as well as its essential contribution to shaping Europe's future.

This video shows her full video message recorded at the European Commission in Brussels, Belgium.