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Long before anyone had ever heard of COVID-19, we commissioned a few people to compile a book. If everything went according to plan, all EB colleagues should have received this book by now. An exhibition was set up in the Building E main hall this week, featuring the key events at the faculty over the past 100 years. The main hall of Building M likewise features a timeline depicting these events. Visitors can admire both exhibitions during the coming year.

Permanent symbols

In addition to the exhibition, two other permanent symbols have been introduced. Six trees have been planted on the small field at the REC, each symbolising 1 of the 6 continents. Besides our modest contribution to greening and CO2 storage, the trees are meant to emphasise the international character of our faculty: an inclusive and diverse community with students and staff from all over the world. We hope these trees will grow and flourish over the next 100 years.

Finally, a statue of the Greek god Hermes was unveiled in the E Building main hall. The statue is a gift from the Amsterdam Economists Association (KAE). As European institutions par excellence, universities frequently make use of symbols taken from Greco-Roman culture. Minerva, the goddess of wisdom, is the one of the best known examples. For many years, the hall of the Oudemanhuispoort was home to a statue of Minerva. The statue was was moved to Building A when the Amsterdam Law School relocated to its new premises. Minerva also adorns the University of Amsterdam’s Beadle’s mace.

The bronze statue of Hermes in the Building E main hall is a replica of Giovanni da Bologna’s statue on display at the Louvre, symbolising the God of trade and wealth, the academic domain of our faculty. However, at the same time, Hermes is also the god of deception and thieves and he guided the souls of the dead to the underworld! As such, Hermes also represents a warning to those practicing in this scientific field of study.