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The 365th birthday of Utrecht University was celebrated lastMonday with a three-part ceremony in the Dom church. The first wasthe award of honorary doctorates to the American geologist WilliamA. Berggren, the Polish-German literary critic Marcel Reich-Ranickiand the Dutch lawyer Bart Stapert, who works on death penalty casesin the United States. Next came the transfer of the office ofrector from the much-celebrated Harry Voorma to Willem HendrikGispen. Finally, it was time to declare open season on thefive-yearly celebrations. One of the many activities scheduledbetween now and September is the 'O mio sole' theatre productionabout Gallileo Gallile. As a humorously intended taster Gallilereceived an honorary doctorate during the anniversary celebrations,intended to restore the honor of the astronomer the church decriedas a heretic because he claimed the earth was a globe which spun onits axis. The proceedings were also brightened up by a fashion showof professorial gowns presented by the students of the UtrechtSchool of Fine Arts.

Taking the piss

Unconstrained public urination should be a thing of the past inUtrecht since the arrival of the city's new piss-pole. The newpublic urinal on the Janskerkhof is a national first and was lastweek unveiled by councilman J. van Zanen, who alas declined todemonstrate how to use this novel erection. An 'aroma committee' isanticipating the task of checking the piss-pole for undesirablefragrances during the coming six months. Students on the piss willbe well advised to use the piss-pole, and will otherwise riskincurring a hundred-guilder fine for claiming territory elsewhereon the streets.

Sting in the tail

If the University of Utrecht thought it was going to make a bigsplash with coming Saturday's anniversary party, featuring Wipneus& Pim, Hans and Candy Dulfer and Micha Klein, no one inEnschede seems intimidated. The University of Twente's anniversarycelebration in July will present no one less than Sting.Irrespective of whether you think his music is cool or run for thehills, the UT has recruited a true world star in the former Policefrontman. Alongside Sting, the festival features artists includingIlse de Lange and Ellen ten Damme. It's just on price that Utrechtoutdoes Enschede: tickets are free here but cost 75 guildersthere.