2026 Mayor’s Welcome Reception for the Johannes Gutenberg Promotion

On Monday, 5 October 2026, the students of the Johannes Gutenberg Promotion were welcomed by the Mayor of Bruges, Mr Dirk DE FAUW, at the annual reception organised by the City of Bruges for the new College of Europe cohort.

Held at the historic Stadshallen, the reception is a long-standing tradition marking the beginning of the academic year and the students’ arrival in the city that will be their home over the coming months. The occasion offers each new Promotion an opportunity to engage with representatives of the local community and to spend time with their Bruges host families.

The evening also featured a distinctly local touch, with students raising a glass of Brugse Zot to celebrate the start of their year in Bruges.

We warmly thank Mayor De fauw and the City of Bruges for their generous hospitality and for continuing to welcome new generations of College of Europe students into the life of the city year after year.

Photos of the Event