Students at ENS Ulm transform blockade into popular university

Students at the École normale supérieure (ENS) d'Ulm in Paris have transformed an ongoing blockade, which began in October, into a 'popular university' featuring debates and conferences open to the public.

Organized through a horizontal, non-hierarchical structure, the initiative aims to foster critical thinking. The program includes diverse topics such as debt politics, utopian cities in cinema, and lectures by philosopher Étienne Balibar. Participants describe the movement as a way to seek emancipation and explore alternative methods of study rather than a mere protest.

While the school administration has not rejected the concept of a popular university, they have set conditions for a full reopening of the premises. The administration maintains that such activities must respect rules regarding associative activities and external guests, and must occur without the occupation of school buildings.