Tribute to Louis Pasteur: a look back at the ceremony on September 27

On Friday September 27, the day before the official anniversary, the Institut Pasteur held a commemorative ceremony in the gallery of the Roux building to mark the 129th anniversary of the death of Louis Pasteur, an event to pay tribute to the work and life of Pasteur with the entire Institut Pasteur community.

The day before World Rabies Day, held on September 28, this event was an opportunity to look back at the achievements of the visionary scientist and the values that he passed on, which are shaping the future Strategic Plan. Cross-disciplinarity, humanism, legacy, audacity, courage, greatness, impact and excellence were some of the values evoked in the historical building that will continue to underpin the excellence of the Institut Pasteur's science and help build its future.

"To be the heirs of Louis Pasteur is to embody the pride of a daring science focused on the common good. It means celebrating the freedom to think, create and explore the unknown, with a taste for calculated risk-taking and the ambition to push back the frontiers of knowledge. It's about cultivating excellence in every experiment, boldness in every hypothesis, and rigour in every discovery.
More than ever, remembering this heritage means affirming that our mission goes far beyond the laboratory: the science we shape must above all serve society, protect the health of all and enlighten the future. Together, let's keep this legacy of creativity and innovation alive, by passionately supporting this vast scientific and human adventure, open to the world and serving future generations."

More than sixty of you gathered in front of the crypt, around the Institut Pasteur President, to take part in this ceremony in the special context of the construction of the future Institut Pasteur museum.
 
A minute's silence was observed before heading down into the crypt to gather by the tombs of Louis and Marie Pasteur. The attendees also visited the tomb of Dr. Emile Roux.

Photos: François Gardy/Institut Pasteur