randform

Today was the opening ceremony of the ICM (the International Congress of Mathematicians in Madrid). The ICM which is organized by the IMU (the International Mathematical Union) is the most important social gathering of mathematicians. In particular at the ICM the most prestigious mathematical prizes are awarded. There is no Nobel prize for mathematics and thus the Fields Medal is often denoted as an equivalent. However the Fields medal is only for mathematicians under 40 and rather for their body of work than a particular result. For that reason a special prize had to be created in 1998 for Andrew Wiles who solved one of the longest open problems in math history, but who happened to be over 40. This years winners are: Andrei Okounkov (Russia/US), Grigori Perelman (Russia), Terence Tao (Australia), Wendelin Werner (France).

His Majesty the King of Spain Juan Carlos was honouring the ceremony with his presence. In 1998 the ICM was in Berlin. Neither the president, nor the chancellor attended the opening ceremony. There was even no report on Tagesschau – the most important german public TV news format. I guess this says enough about the current state of public support of mathematics in Germany… So – hopefully good luck for spanish mathematics!

And it is of course very flattering for some of the randform crew to see His Majesty the King of Spain Juan Carlos twisting his head (in the middle with the white jacket) for the new logo of the IMU designed by John Sullivan —since the logo video he is watching had been done with jReality!

Many congratulations to the winners of the various IMU prizes and of course especially to John for winning the logo design competion with his logo and Charles Gunn who realized the video! Thanks to John also for the image.