Dear colleagues,

the Local Organising Committee is very proud that the city of Leipzig has been selected to host the 28th Annual Scientific Meeting of the ESMRMB. Leipzig is looking back to a glorious past where the city has played an important role for the development of intellectual life and trading in Europe. In the more recent past, the peaceful demonstrations in the autumn of 1989 have been a cornerstone for the peaceful revolution that has ultimately led to German reunification.

The city of Leipzig has a rich heritage in music and the performing arts. Names like Johann Sebastian Bach and Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy are inseparably linked to the city. The new Gewandhaus Concert Hall is home to the famous Gewandhaus Orchestra which goes back to 1743 and is known for its excellence in classical music performance. The Thomanerchor, the Boys Choir of St. Thomas Church, emerged over 800 years ago from church services organised by the Augustinian Canons. Its most famous choirmaster from 1723 to 1750 was Bach himself. But also the Leipzig Opera holds a history of more than 300 years.

Leipzig is also linked to early developments in the field of nuclear magnetic resonance. After graduation, Felix Bloch continued his physics studies at the University of Leipzig and finished his doctoral thesis under the advice of Werner Heisenberg. Only last year, the University celebrated its 600th anniversary.

We are looking forward to seeing you in Leipzig.

Prof. Dr. Thomas Kahn
Chairman of the Local Organising Committee