Szemészet, 1997 (134. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
1997-11-01 / 4. szám
Szemészet 134 (1997) 239 SOE ’97 The Xlth Congress of the Societas Ophthalmologica Europea, held in Budapest on June 1-5, 1997 was a great success in every respect. More participants (some 3 500) were registered than in any previous edition of the SOE Congresses and the large number of colleagues from the eastern part of Europe was especially gratifying. Once again Hungary took the lead in bringing together what was separated for too long a time. Many participants made new acquaintances at the Congress which will the basis for more cooperation. In this way the Council of the SOE was able to get in contact with representatives of the national Societies which were still missing in the European Society. A fine scientific programme was the main factor in attracting so many participants. The organization of instruction courses which started in Milano in 1995, was amplified and 82 courses were provided. In addition 85 sessions were organized around specific topics and many hundreds of free papers were presented in 43 sessions. More than 700 scientific posters were exhibited. Fifteen lecture halls and two halls for poster discussion where occupied full time. Many other scientific organizations met during the Congress. By far the largest is the EUPO course which attracted over 400 participants. The overlap of the EUPO courses with the main Congress was kept at a minimum by starting the course on Sunday morning before the other sessions. This profited both to the course as to the participants. The Népstadion where the meeting were held, was very well suited to accommodate the Congress. The arena provided just the space needed to lodge the exhibits in a cosy, busy centre of the event. From this central arena one had access to the lecture halls. They came in all sizes and were decorated with taste and well equipped. A small army of young enthusiast hostesses and technicians kept everything working smoothly. the access to these halls was well indicated by large panels visible from all over the exhibition arena. Due to the complexity of the buildinc they provided just the ring amount of confusion so that many got lost and in this was encountered old friends they otherwise would have missed. Great were also the tiers surrounding the central arena, where one could retire for a private talk or a moment of reflection, while still being in visual contact with the activity of the Congress. All these factors contributed to make this Congress very successful: a highly informative scientific meeting in a relaxed atmosphere. The social aspects of the Congress were equally delightful. A solemn opening ceremony was followed by an excellent welcome party with delicious food. The evenings gave opportunities to enjoy the beautiful city of Budapest, listen to Wasners Rheingold in a spectacular setting and culminated in a splendid president's dinner in the Hungarian National Gallery where Professor I. Süveges and P. Follmann received a commemorative plate in gratitude for their efforts and for the success they achieved. Prof. Dr. L. Missotten President SOE
