Saturday, 15 April 2023 Young female mathematicians from 54 countries welcomed at the EGMO 2023 opening ceremony
Yesterday’s opening ceremony marks the start of the European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad. This year 214 female competitors and 54 countries are participating, and we are happy to notice that more countries from outside of Europe are joining the prestigious competition.
EGMO 2023 is hosted by the Society of Mathematicians, Physicists, and Astronomers of Slovenia (DMFA Slovenije) and supported by the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport and the Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities. The letter of support to the organizer was signed by the University of Ljubljana, University of Maribor and University of Primorska.
At the opening ceremony, the participants of EGMO were welcomed by the President of the Republic of Slovenia Nataša Pirc Musar, PhD: »Involving girls in STEM has become crucial in today’s job market and in the world. It offers opportunities. Preserving and protecting the environment, finding alternative energy sources, exploring space, developing cures for currently incurable diseases, using AI to make our lives better, all these areas require the knowledge and skills of all of us who share this planet.«
President of the Republic of Slovenia Nataša Pirc Musar, PhD
After encouraging and motivational words by the President, the contestants were also greeted by prof. dr. Darjo Felda, Minister of Education and prof. dr. Klavdija Kutnar, rector of UP.
Prof. dr. Klavdija Kutnar adressed the croud with a praise for mathematics: »We are honored to have you here because we consider mathematics as one of the highest forms of human rational, analytical thinking, a sanctuary for free thought, which combined with sparks of intuition generates tremendous joy and harmony of intellect and spirit. Experienced by those who have long been involved in mathematical research as well as those whose mathematical journey has only just started.«
Prof. dr. Klavdija Kutnar, rector of UP
Prof. dr. Darjo Felda, Minister of Education, prof. dr. Klavdija Kutnar, rector of UP, and prof. dr. Gregor Majdič, rector of the University of Ljubljana
Ana Meta Dolinar, a multiple EGMO participant and a recipient of three bronze EGMO medals, inspired the contestants with her own success story, experiences she gained at these competitions and the bonds she created. Pursuing a master’s degree at Cambridge, she truly reflects intellectual and professional growth.
The opening of EGMO 2023 was officially announced by Mrs. Viviane Kehl, the president of the EGMO Board, and was concluded with the Olympic oath, declared by Slovenian competitor Katarina Grilj.
We are honored to have hosted such an amazing assembly of guests, including the 2022 Fields Medalist Maryna Viazovska from Ukraine. Maryna Viazovska is the second female recipient of this prestigious award after the late Maryam Mirzakhani, who received the Medal in 2014. Last year, Viazovska also received the EMS Prize 2020 at the 8th European Congress of Mathematics (8 ECM), which was hosted by Slovenia and organized by the University of Primorska under the auspices of the European Mathematical Society (EMS).
Apart from the competition, an important aspect of EGMO is socializing with peers and encouraging girls for STEM jobs of the future. On that note, the organizing committee prepared a week full of activities, excursions, dance classes and workshops, while the Jane Street (EGMO 2023 Platinum sponsor) Hub, where the participants can play games, complete challenging puzzles and relax with fellow competitors, will be open throughout the competition.
We wish all the girls great success at the olympiad!
More photos from the olympiad are available here: https://egmo2023.dmfa.si/galleries/
Nik Škrlec, the moderator of EGMO 2023 opening ceremony
Group photo
