Code of the Universe: A Photographic Journey of Discovery

Code of the Universe: A Photographic Journey of Discovery is a travelling photographic exhibition that has toured several European cities and is now coming to Finland. The exhibition will be on display at the Ratinanniemi Event Park in Tampere from 5 to 14 May. It is open to the public free of charge and is presented in English, with the exception of a Finnish-language panel showcasing research conducted at Tampere University. 

The Code of the Universe exhibition has been developed in the context of the Future Circular Collider (FCC) study by CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research. It showcases CERN, particle accelerators, and their scientific and societal significance, while examining the Universe and its fundamental questions, such as dark matter and the origins of the cosmos. These themes are presented through a unique visual experience, created in collaboration with internationally renowned photographers.

The photographs highlight both the scale and beauty of the Universe as well as the people, technologies and environments that advance fundamental research in particle physics. They pose questions such as ‘What is the Universe made of?’ and ‘Why does anything exist at all?’ At the heart of the exhibition are human curiosity, creativity and collaboration, all essential drivers of scientific discovery.

The exhibition shares stories of recent achievements in fundamental research, knowledge gained through international collaboration and technological breakthroughs. It invites the audience to reflect on how cutting‑edge research shapes our world. The photographs also illustrate how we all, as individuals, benefit from advances in physics.

After Tampere, the exhibition will visit Jyväskylä and Lahti. The final stop will be Helsinki, where the exhibition will be shown as part of the FCC Week 2026 organised by CERN.