Christmas Lecture at the Romanian Athenaeum

A valuable cultural tradition commenced last month at the Romanian Athenaeum. On Tuesday, the 3rd of December 2013, under the High Patronage of Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Margarita of Romania, the Romanian Academy and the George Enescu Philharmonic initiated the first Christmas Lecture in Bucharest. The event was dedicated to the anniversary of 125 years since the establishment of the Romanian Athenaeum and received as guest speaker Prof. Tom W. B. Kibble, CBR, FRS, Emeritus Professor at the Imperial College, London.

Professor Kibble presented the lecture entitled “What is the world made of?”

The organizers of the conference were the Institute of Atomic Physics and the Rotary Club of Bucharest / Curtea Veche. The event was supported by the British Embassy in Bucharest, the British Council, the Ministry of National Education, the Executive Unit for the Financing of Higher Learning, of Research, Development and Innovation, as well as by the National Institute of Physics and Nuclear Energy “Horia Hulubei”.

The Christmas Lectures of the Royal Institution in Great Britain take place annually and were inaugurated by Michael Faraday in 1825. They have taken place yearly ever since, except during the Second World War. Commencing in 1966, the British Christmas Lectures are broadcast by the BBC. Following the almost two centuries – old tradition of the Royal Institution, Bucharest becomes the second capital city, after London, organizing such scientific events.

The Crown Princess offered her High Patronage to the Christmas Lectures of the Romanian Athenaeum. At the first conference, of December 2013, Her Royal Highness was represented by Prince Nicholas of Romania.