A Year of Celebration and Progress: The Church of Scientology and Celebrity Centre of Greater Paris Marks its First Anniversary
Saint-Denis – A year after its grand opening, the Church of Scientology and Celebrity Centre of Greater Paris commemorated its first anniversary with a vibrant and inspiring weekend filled with festivities, artistic expression, and a reaffirmation of its humanitarian mission. The celebration gathered hundreds of guests from across France, including community leaders, artists, and longtime Scientologists, all united in recognition of a year of achievements and shared purpose.
Just one year ago, in April 2024, the Church officially inaugurated its brand new headquarters in Saint-Denis in commemoration of its presence in France since . The event marked a new chapter in the Church’s presence in the Greater Paris region, offering expanded services and outreach programs for members and the public alike.
The anniversary weekend began on Friday, April 4, with a powerful seminar dedicated to The Way to Happiness, a non-religious moral code authored by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. Eduardo Galan, a well-known Venezuelan artist and speaker, addressed the audience, highlighting the remarkable impact of the booklet in his homeland. “A total of 5 million copies of The Way to Happiness booklet have been distributed among the population, including the police and prisons,” Galan shared.
Saturday’s program included a special briefing, where church leaders retraced the development of Scientology’s administrative technology from 1950 to the present. This was followed by an energetic concert featuring Scientologist performers covering Anglo-Saxon and French hits from the 1980s and 1990s—an uplifting performance that had the entire audience clapping and singing along.
The heart of the celebration came during the official anniversary ceremony. Church leaders delivered a presentation recounting the many milestones from the first year—ranging from consistent participation in courses and seminars to extensive humanitarian outreach efforts led by volunteers. The ceremony also welcomed two surprise guests, allies of the Church, who spoke movingly about L. Ron Hubbard’s legacy. One noted, “I saw that Mr. Hubbard wasn’t looking for fame, or wealth, he was looking for something else for humanity: happiness.”
The joyous mood continued into the evening with a spectacular moment: the unveiling and sharing of a giant Eiffel Tower-shaped birthday cake, crafted by France’s 2024 top pastry chef. Guests toasted the occasion with champagne in the elegant atrium before gathering at Café Séquoia to enjoy a luxurious all-you-can-eat buffet, created by none other than the country’s top chef of the year.
Sunday began on a high note with a classical music concert by the internationally acclaimed pianist Cyprien Katsaris, whose emotive performance added a touch of sophistication to the spiritual service. The weekend concluded with another seminar by Eduardo Galan—this time focusing on art, a subject that L. Ron Hubbard held close to his heart. Galan shared a powerful quote from Hubbard:
“The artist has an immense role to play in improving today’s reality and creating tomorrow’s. He’s one step ahead of science when it comes to man’s needs and requirements… The elevation of a culture can be measured directly by the number of its members working in the field of aesthetics.”
The Church of Scientology and Celebrity Centre of Greater Paris was inaugurated by Scientology’s ecclesiastical leader, Mr. David Miscavige, in April 2024. Designed to reflect the ideals and mission of the Church, it provides state-of-the-art facilities for spiritual advancement while serving as a hub for community collaboration and humanitarian initiatives.
As it steps into its second year, the Church continues to stand as a beacon of optimism, creativity, and unity—dedicated to helping individuals achieve higher states of spiritual awareness and building a better world for all.
Scientology’s presence in France has grown steadily over the years, supported by a vibrant community committed to humanitarian values, education, and spiritual betterment. The Church of Scientology is now represented in over 160 countries, with numerous recognitions acknowledging its contributions to society—from literacy and drug prevention programs to human rights education. The Church’s international scope and commitment to intercultural dialogue have earned it consultative status with the United Nations through its Spanish Fundacion para la Mejora, and has also gained religious recognition in multiple nations such as Spain, USA, Portugal Sweden, Italy, Southafrica, Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, Mexico, Colombia, Panama and many others, solidifying its role as a global voice for freedom, ethics, and human dignity.
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