René Cassin: A Fighter for Peace Exhibition at the National and University Library of Strasbourg

This exhibition commemorates the fiftieth anniversary of the death of René Cassin, the eminent jurist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate who was instrumental in drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Through a thematic path, visitors explore his lifelong commitment to human rights, his role in the Free France movement, and his contributions to establishing international justice.

Marking the fiftieth anniversary of the death of René Cassin (1887–1976), this exhibition is a joint project between the René Cassin Foundation and the National and University Library of Strasbourg (Bnu). The display highlights the exceptional trajectory of a man who dedicated his life to the defense of human rights, from his early advocacy for war victims and veterans to his pivotal diplomatic and legal roles on the international stage. The exhibition is structured around key chapters of Cassin’s life: his experience during the First World War, his early departure to London to join General de Gaulle and the Free France movement in 1940, and his profound influence on the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. Through archival documents and personal artifacts, such as his 1940 pocket agenda, visitors gain insight into the rigor, diplomatic sensitivity, and moral conviction that shaped one of the twentieth century's most significant legal figures.

The exhibition is accessible through guided tours held on Thursdays at 17:00. Advance booking is required and must be completed through the library's online ticketing platform.