Opening Session
Opening Address by Marc HenneauxYour Royal Highness,
Mrs. and Mr. Solvay,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Colleagues,
Dear Friends,
About one hundred years ago, at the invitation of Ernest Solvay, the leadingphysicists of the time gathered in the hotel Mktropole for a 6-day mythical meeting.
This meeting began a tradition of unique conferences that shaped modern science.
A total of 22 conferences have taken place every three years except during war
periods, covering most aspects at the frontiers of physics.
This year’s meeting continues the tradition. It is a great honor for me and a
moving moment to welcome all of you to the 23rd Solvay Conference in Physics, in
the building where the first meeting took place.
A distinctive feature of the Solvay Conferences is that they benefit from the
support and encouragement of the Royal Family. The pictures of Einstein with the
Queen Elisabeth of Belgium are in the mind of all physicists. It is with a respectful
gratitude that we acknowledge the continuation of this tradition today, at the time
of the celebration of the 175th anniversary of Belgium.
At the start of the 23rd Solvay Conference, I would like to have a thought for
Ernest Solvay, the Founder of the Institutes, and for the men who assisted him in
this enterprise, Paul Hkger and Hendrik Lorentz.
Born in 1838, Ernest Solvay exhibited a passion for physics and chemistry from
a very young age. He developed a new process for industrial production of sodium
carbonate (NazCOs - “soude” in French, not soda^" (in the plural) as I could
see on some uncontrolled web side). This was at the origin of his wealth, which
he used to create many charitable foundations. In particular, after the success of
the 1911 Solvay Conference, he founded the International Institute of Physics. The
mission of the Institute was “to promote research, the purpose of which is to enlarge
and deepen our understanding of natural phenomena, without excluding problems
Xlll ...