Symposium style

The ISSHAC symposium has been known for its unique style. The lecture program is ample and, as such, there is little time for formal discussion. Instead the program puts emphasis on creation of a maximum number of opportunities for informal discussion and facilitation of direct person-to-person exchanges of ideas. The extended social program provides numerous such opportunities. Interaction-encouraging social programs are offered every day in the late afternoon and evening. In organizing the first and subsequent ISSHAC symposia we have followed the principle that each symposium should be located in a different but attractive place, to offer an opportunity for participants to enjoy science, collegiality, and cultural ambiance at each meeting. In doing this, we have followed the timeless Roman dictum that the “spirit of place”, the ambiance, is crucial to the success of an enterprise.

Program for accompanying persons:

Apart from the social events for all the participants, there is always a special program for accompanying persons during conference hours. There is always an English-speaking guide taking permanent whole-day motherlike care of accompanying persons. In addition, there are special English-speaking guides in all sightseeing places visited by the group.

The history of ISSHAC symposia:

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For its rich European history Wrocław has been nominated the European Capital of Culture in 2016. That unique spirit of this historical city made ISSHAC-9 a great scientific success and unforgettable social experience.

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The fifth symposium was held in Gdansk (Danzig) one of the most beautiful historical port cities in Northern Europe. This is an exciting city because of its architecture and exceptionally rich history. What is so special about this city, what secret power dwells here that every visit to Gdansk leaves such unforgettable impressions? We bow our heads low to the history of the city, the history of Gdańsk is full of momentous and grand events, but also even tragic happenings. The city of Gdansk is the place where the Second World War began in 1939, and the city where the political "Solidarity" movement was born in 1980, bringing the communist system in Europe to collapse.
A number of prestigious scientific institutions have stood behind the organization of the ISSHAC-5 symposium. These were: the University of Gdańsk, the Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin, the Committee for Interface Chemistry of the Polish Chemical Society, and the Institute of Catalysis and Interface Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Kraków. In 2004, for the first time, the organization of ISSHAC was a joint initiative of the above listed Polish scientific institutions and of two German scientific organizations, the Adsorption Group of DECHEMA, German Chemical Society and the Interfacial Systems and Processes Group of DECHEMA.
Our Scientific Committee consisted once again of specialists from most European countries, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Australia, Middle East, USA and Latin America.
The Honorary Committee gathered scientists whose scientific achievements are exceptionally pertinent to the ideas promoted by the ISSHAC symposia: Prof. Jerzy Haber (Poland), Prof. Alan Myers (USA), Prof. David Nicholson (U.K.), Prof. William Steele (USA), and Prof. Bohdan Wojciechowski (Canada).

The fourth symposium was held in Krakow - the city nominated to be the "The Capital of European Culture in 2000". Why was Krakow chosen to receive this distinction? Krakow is one of only 12 places in the world which are on the UNESCO list of the objects that constitute the World Cultural Heritage List. In 1038 Krakow became the Capital of Poland and has, almost miraculously, survived, largely unchanged, through all the intervening upheavals. Altogether there are more than 300 historical buildings within easy walking distance of the old market square, making it a history lovers' delight. Krakow is called the "City of Kings" because of the necropolis of Polish kings situated in the cathedral cellars at the old Royal Castle - Wawel. In 1364 King Casimir the Great founded a university in Krakow. It was the second university to be founded in Central Europe, after Prague. Even before the time of Nicolas Copernicus, who studied here, it attracted students from all over Europe who came to learn and to enjoy the ambiance and traditions of an old university town.

The next symposium was held in the late summer of 1998, in the historic city of Torun, where one of the greatest scientists of the Renaissance - Nicholas Copernicus - was born. Torun is a 760-year old "Vistula Gothic" town, situated on the Vistula River and is largely preserved in its original shape to this day. It is one of the best preserved examples of Gothic urban architecture in Central Europe. The symposium was attended by about 160 active participants and more than 40 accompanying persons.

The success of the first ISSHAC encouraged us to organize the second one, with even better technical and social programs. This second symposium was held in two sites in the High Tatra Mountains, one in Poland and the other in the Slovak Republic. The symposium started in Zakopane, a beautiful mountain resort on the Polish side of the Tatra Mountains. After three days of deliberations the participants were transported by coaches to the historic resort town of Levoca on the Slovak side of the Tatra Mountains. The symposium was attended by over 120 active participants and more than 20 accompanying persons. Over 120 papers were presented. The participants agreed enthusiastically to meet at still another ISSHAC symposium two years later.

Several dozen participants and accompanying persons assembled at the first ISSHAC, held in Poland in the summer of 1992. The meeting was held in the small historic river city of Kazimierz Dolny, dating from the 14th century. This is one of the most delightful little towns in Poland, an old grain shipping port situated on the banks of the Vistula River at the foot of rolling hills which form scarps at the river's edge, crowned with a Royal Castle ruin.