Social Program
Conference participants and accompanying persons
Accompanying persons
Social events included in program
September 10, 2002,17:00 - 19:00: Welcome Party
Informal get-together at the conference location, Physics Institute of the Technical University Graz, Petersgasse 16. Included in the registration fee.
September 11, 2002, 19:00: Reception by the Mayor of Graz
Participants of the conference and accompanying persons are invited by the Mayor of Graz at the City Hall, Hauptplatz 3. Included in the registration fee.
September 13, 2002, 14:30 - 18:00: Excursion: Highlights of Graz
We will start a guided tour by bus through Graz at the conference location and visit the old town of Graz, various places of modern architecture, and the baroque castle of Eggenberg. Busses will take us back to the center of Graz where we will see the romantic narrow streets and yards, and hear about the history of this town. Then, we will climb the Castle Hill (Schlossberg), the landmark of the Styrian capital, from where we'll have a great view of the old town of Graz. The tour will end at the Landhaus, one of the most famous Renaissance buildings of our town. There, we will taste some typical Styrian food and wine and hear some Styrian music. Included in the registration fee.
September 13, 2002,20:00 - 24:00: Conference Dinner
The Conference Dinner will take place at the Convention Center, Graz, Schmiedgasse 2 (Entrance Sparkassenplatz). At this occasion, the winners of the Poster Awards will be presented. Included in the registration fee.
September 14, 2002,17:00: Farewell Party
At the end of the conference, we will take busses to Southern Styria and celebrate a Farewell Party at "Pechmann's Alte Oelmuehle". There we will taste typical Styrian food and wine. Participants will return to Graz between 23:00 and 24:00. Included in the registration fee.
Additional social events for accompanying persons
September 11, 2002, 10:00 - 14:00: Graz for insiders
This special city walk leads you to special places. You are picked up at the conference location and brought to the city center. There the farmer's market has to offer a lot of Styrian delicacies, such as the pumpkinseed oil that makes the Styrians strong and healthy. Afterwards you look backstage in the Graz opera house and hear a lot of interesting background stories. The excellent coffee at the Operncafe will then give you new energy for the next stop. The Armory being the world's largest historic storehouse for old weapons is surely worth a visit and will give you more insight into the Styrian history.
Length about 4 hours. Included in the registration fee of accompanying persons. 
September 12, 2002, 9:00 - 15:00: White horses, brightly colored churches and unique rosé wine Western Styria
Everyone knows them - the famous Lipizzaner horses. Born jet black, these proud, majestic horses are at home at the farm in Piber. After three years and having turned snow-white, only the best can make their way to the Spanish Riding School in Vienna. A visit to the colorful Hundertwasser Church in Bärnbach, redesigned by the artist bearing the same name, is definitely worth the trip.
Afterwards you can enjoy the region which is home to the rosé-colored wine called "Schilcher" and visit the idyllic village of Stainz and its castle.
Length about 6 hours. Included in the registration fee of accompanying persons. 
September 14, 2002, 9:00 - 14:00: A picture-book village and monks - The surrounding countryside of Graz
The 83 very old farmhouses, complete with furnishings, at the Austrian open-air museum Stübing are reminiscent of the difficult life in the past. Amidst the antiquated farms that come from various parts of the country the strenuous way of life of their inhabitants can hardly be felt any more.
Afterwards, the monks of the oldest Cistercian monastery in the world - Stift Rein - will open their doors for you.
Length about 5 hours. Included in the registration fee of accompanying persons.
The social program is organized by Graz Tourismus