(ANS – Caen) – To mark its centenary, the Salesian Lemonnier Institute  in Caen organised a special day of celebrations within the institute itself. Conceived as a true celebration combining tribute, creativity and conviviality, the day was structured around several key moments. The morning began with a Mass, followed by the official opening ceremony. Then, the amphitheatre hall used for ceremonies was named after Jacques Villard, in tribute to a man deeply committed to serving young people, who embodied the Salesian values of rigour and benevolence. Finally, a time capsule was buried to pass on a record of this historic celebration to future generations. After a festive lunch in the Institute’s canteen, students and staff gathered in the central courtyard to kick off the afternoon’s festivities. Inflatable games, football tournaments and numerous exhibitions brought this convivial occasion to life. As the day drew to a close, the main guests were welcomed, including Fr Xavier Ernst, current Provincial of the France-Belgium South Province (FRB), Nicolas Escach, Deputy Mayor of Caen, Marc Millet, Regional Councillor for Normandy, and many others. A live concert and a colourful fireworks display marked the end of the event, leaving everyone with a wonderful memory of a historic moment of great unity.