THE 2008 ABEL PRIZE CEREMONY AND RELATED EVENTS IN OSLO

Photos courtesy of Krishnaswami Alladi.
Click on photos to obtain higher resolution.


The Royal Palace in Oslo (May 19)

The statue of Abel, sculpted by Vigeland, on the grounds of the Royal Place (May 19)

Mathematicians gather near the Abel monument to witness the wreath laying ceremony. Professor Kristian Seip (Chair of 2008 Abel Prize Committee) in discussion with committee members Efim Zelmanov (UCSD, 1994 Fields Medalist) and Dusa McDuff (SUNY, Stonybrook) (May 19)

Professor Ragnar Winther, Chairman of the Abel Board, addresses the gathering. Seated from l to r are Abel Laureates Jacques Tits and John Thompson, Reidun Sirevag (Secretary General, Norwegian Acad. Sci.), Mrs Tits, Ole Didrik Laerum (President, Norwegian Acad. Sci.), and Dr. (Mrs) Diane Thompson (May 19)

John Thompson at the Abel monument after laying the wreath (May 19)

Jacques Tits at the Abel monument after laying the wreath (May 19)

President Ole Didrik Laerum of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters proposing a toast at the Mathematicians Dinner. Seen at the head table from l to r are Dusa McDuff (Member of Abel Prize Committee), Abel Laureates Jacques Tits and John Thompson, and Reidun Sirevag (Secretary General of the Academy) (May 19)

Prof. John Thompson responds after receiving the book Tracing Abel of the three handwritten manuscripts of Abel (May 19)

John Thompson in discussion with Arild Stubhang who edited the book Tracing Abel. Norwegian Acad. of Sci. President Ole Didrik Laerum looks on. In the foreground, Acad. Secretary General Reidun Sirevag in discussion with Hans Folmer, member of Abel Prize Committee (May 19)

The majestic Aula of the University of Oslo, where the Abel Prize Ceremony was held (May 20)

Math Chair Krishnaswami Alladi in front of the Aula before the start of the Abel Prize Ceremony (May 20)

Poster display in front of the Aula before the Abel Prize Ceremony (May 20)

The Staff Band of the Norwegian Defense Forces welcoming guests to the Abel Prize Ceremony (May 20)

Seated in the Aula before the Abel Prize Ceremony, from l to r Krishna Alladi (Chair, Univ. Florida Math Dept), Geoffrey Robinson (Chair, Maths Dept, Univ. Aberdeen), Michel Broue (Director, Instut Henri Poincare), Alex Lubotsky (Maurice & Clara Weil Professor, Hebrew University) and Lazlo Lovasz (President, International Mathematical Union)

The Abel Award Ceremony begins with music by Ms Randi Stene (vocal), Mr. Lars Anders Tomber (viola), and Mr. Ketil Bjornstad (piano)

Seated on stage are from l to r Kristian Seip (Chair, Abel Prize Committee), Abel Laureate John Thompson, Mrs Tits, Ole Dudrik Laerum (President, Norwegian Acad. of Science and Letters), and Abel Laureate Jacques Tits

Seated in the central aisle up front are King Harald V and Queen Sonja, observing the Abel Award Ceremony. Mathura and Krishna were only two seats away from the Royal Couple

Prof. Ole Didrik Laerum (President, Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters) making the Opening Remarks (May 20)

Prof. Kristian Seip (Chair of the Abel Prize Committee) reading the citation of the Abel Laureates (May 20)

King Harald V awarding the 2008 Abel Prize to Prof. John Thompson. Prof. Kristian Seip, Chair of the Prize Committee, looks on (May 20)

Prof. Jacques Tits receiving the 2008 Abel Prize from His Majesty King Harald V of Norway. 2008 Abel Laureate John Thompson is beside him (May 20)

King Harald V applauding the 2008 Abel Prize Winners Professors John Thompson and Jacques Tits (May 20)

Prof. John Thompson responds after receiving the 2008 Abel Prize (May 20)

Prof. Jacques Tits responds after receiving the 2008 Abel Prize (May 20)

Guests rise to leave after the Abel Award Ceremony. Seen here is Dr. (Mrs) Diane Thompson next to U.S. Ambassador to Norway, Mr. Benson Whitney (May 20)

Prof. John Thompson mingling with the crowd after the Abel Award Ceremony. Seen here are Prof. Ragnar Winther (Chairman of the Abel Board), and 1994 Fields Medalist Efim Zelmanov (Member, 2008 Abel Prize Committee)

The classic Continental Hotel where the Abel Laureates stayed was where the Press Conference was held (May 20)

University of Florida Mathematics Chairman Krishnaswami Alladi with 2008 Abel Laureate Jacques Tits after the Press Conference (May 20)

Mathura Alladi in conversation with Dr. Berit Johne (Counselor for Science, Norwegian Embassy in Washington DC) at the Akershus Castle before the Abel Banquet

Mathura and Krishna Alladi enjoy a lighter moment with the U.S. Ambassador to Norway, Mr. Benson Whitney (far right) and his wife (far left) at the reception preceding the Abel Banquet at the Akershus Castle

The Vice-Rector of the University of Oslo welcoming the audience to the Abel Lectures (May 21)

Sir John Kingman (Member, 2008 Abel Prize Committee) introducing Prof. John Thompson (May 21)

Professor John Thompson delivering the First Abel Lecture at the University of Oslo (May 21)

John Thompson making a point during Abel Lecture entitled Dirichlet Series and SL(2,Z) (May 21)

UF Math Chair Krishna Alladi with Graduate Research Professor John Thompson (2008 Abel Laureate) after the Abel Lecture (May 21)

Professor Jacques Tits delivers the Second Abel Lecture entitled Algebraic Simple Groups and Buildings

The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters where the Abel Party was held. The Abel Flag is in the front (May 21)

From l to r: Professors Ole Didrik Laerum (President, Norwegian Academy of Science), Krishnaswami Alladi (University of Florida Math Chair), and Nils A. Baas (Norwegian Institute of Technology, Trondheim) at the Abel Party

Krishna Alladi flanked by Fields Medalist Efim Zelmanov, Mrs Zelmanov, and Dr. Berit Johne (Science Counselor, Norwegian Embassy in the USA), at the Abel Party (May 21)

Mathura Alladi with the Zelmanovs, and Dr. Berit Johne at the Abel Party in the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, Oslo (May 21)

The tranquil rear lawn of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, Oslo (May 21)

Krishna Alladi with Professors Lisa Lorentzen and Frode Roening of the Norwegian Institute of Technology, Trondheim at the Abel Party (May 21)

Guests at the Abel Party in the Norwegian Academy if Science and Letters were treated to fine music

Guests of the Abel Party enjoying the music. Seen here in the center is Prof. Ole Didrik Laerum, President of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters

Created Thu Jun 5 15:16:21 EDT 2008.
Last update made Mon Apr 13 11:37:38 PDT 2015.
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