On 10 April 2026, the Bibliothèque Nationale et Universitaire of Strasbourg (BNU) hosted the opening ceremony of the exhibition “René Cassin, Fighter for Peace”, marking its official opening to the general public. Organised in partnership with several institutions committed to the promotion of human rights, this event forms part of a broader effort to transmit and highlight the legacy of René Cassin, a major figure in international law and one of the principal drafters of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

From the outset, the exhibition offers a sensitive and well-documented immersion into René Cassin’s life and work. Structured around a chronological thread and divided into several thematic sections, it retraces the key stages of his life: from his engagement during the First World War to his decisive role in the legal and moral reconstruction of the post-war period. Manuscripts, previously unseen archives, correspondence, photographs and personal objects form a rich collection, allowing visitors to grasp both the intellectual journey and the deeply human commitment of this key figure of the twentieth century.

The exhibition also highlights the diversity of the sources brought together, reflecting in-depth research and close collaboration between heritage and academic institutions. These include, in particular, the National Archives, the Conseil d’État, the Museum of the Order of Liberation, as well as private collections and the holdings preserved at the BNU. This plurality of perspectives and documents contributes to offering a nuanced and vivid reading of René Cassin’s work.

The opening ceremony was marked by strong institutional and academic participation. The evening featured speeches by several leading figures, including Pap Ndiaye, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of France to the Council of Europe; Mattias Guyomar, President of the European Court of Human Rights; Nicolas Tocquer, Director of the BNU; and Mr Emmanuel Decaux, President of the René Cassin Foundation and curator of the exhibition. Through the diversity of their perspectives and the complementary nature of their remarks, they gave the evening a tone that was both solemn and lively, recalling the continuing relevance and universal scope of René Cassin’s legacy.

The René Cassin Foundation also wishes to express its sincere thanks to Jérôme Schweitzer, co-curator of the exhibition, for his decisive commitment to the design and implementation of this project. The exhibition also benefited from the valuable collaboration of Louis Frachon, student at the École nationale des chartes and intern at the BNU, as well as Morgane Chovet, Doctor of Law from the University of Strasbourg and assistant exhibition curator at the BNU, whose rigorous work and commitment greatly contributed to the scientific and editorial quality of the exhibition as a whole.

To read Mr Emmanuel Decaux’s full speech delivered during the ceremony, please find it alongside this article.

To continue the visit and discover the work of our partners, you may also consult the websites of the European Court of Human Rights and the Bibliothèque Nationale et Universitaire of Strasbourg.

This exhibition would not have been possible without the support of:

Sponsors:

• Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Space
• BNP Paribas
• INSP – Institut national du service public
• Région Grand Est
• Strasbourg Eurométropole
• Dernières Nouvelles d’Alsace (DNA)

Partners:

• Faculty of Law, Political Science and Management of the University of Strasbourg
• France Mémoire (Institut de France)

Lenders:

• Ministry of Culture
• National Archives
• Ordre de la Libération – Hôtel national des Invalides
• Conseil d’État
• Alain Berthoz, member of the Académie des sciences