The Flags of the 22 Member States of CERN flutter above the new Esplanade des Particules inaugurated on Friday, 28 September. (Image: Rachel Lavy, Julien Ordan and Maximilien Brice / CERN)
The twenty-two flags of the CERN Member States are fluttering again in front of the Meyrin site. Last Friday, they were hoisted by scientists from each Member State during the inauguration ceremony of the Esplanade des Particules. With this, CERN’s official address is now “Esplanade des Particules 1”.
The Esplanade des Particules was constructed within the framework of the France-Vaud-Geneva conurbation project following an international urban planning competition. It was financed by the Swiss Confederation, the Republic and Canton of Geneva, the commune of Meyrin, and CERN.
Just after the inauguration, thousands of visitors traversed the Esplanade on the occasion of Researchers’ Night. Activities including workshops, projections, shows and visits were offered to the curious minds. The event was a great success: some 4000 people took part this year, compared to 1500 last year. Around one hundred volunteers were there to enthusiastically answer their questions.
