IMCoS International Symposium 2012

MERCATOR AND VIENNA

 30th IMCOS SYMPOSIUM - 500 YEARS MERCATOR.

There are certainly several good reasons for IMCOS Members and Map/Globe Lovers to attend the 30th IMCOS Symposium in Vienna, Austria.

When one hears about Vienna, capital of Austria, a number of images spring to mind concerned with Music, Mozart, Cafés, Cakes, Theatres, Ballet, Concerts, Freud, History, Klimt, the Habsburg Empire, “Art Nouveau” and the Spanish Horse riding school with the White Lipizzaner. But, rarely would one think about old maps and globes .... until now.

When one hears about the Belgian born MERCATOR, one recalls his famous atlases, maybe even that he played an important role in the history of cartography and navigation, but rarely that he was not only a cartographer but also a cosmographer, mathematician, scientific instrument maker and engraver. He was born in Rupelmonde, a small village near Antwerp in the then Habsburg County of Flanders (Belgium).

Having both connections, Vienna and Mercator provide many reasons for you to attend the 30th International Map Collectors Symposium from the 9th until the 12th of September 2012.

First of all, September is a wonderful month in Vienna. Not too hot and not too cold. The “Altweibersommer” (Indian Summer), as the Viennese call it, is the best month to taste the best of summer and  autumn, and the young wines.

Secondly, Vienna, as a former capital of the Habsburg Empire, has lots of history on offer. Amongst its treasures it can boast the oldest Globe (1536!) of Mercator and his Teacher Gemma Frisius, housed in what is today the biggest globe museum in the world, and the important Map Collections of the Austrian National Libary including the Atlas Blaeu - Van der Hem and the Atlas of 1478 by C. Schweynheim/A. Bucking (Kriegsarchiv). Vienna is also the second United Nations Capital (after New York), the seat of many international organisations (IAEA, etc.) and of the Coronelli Society, which celebrates its 60th anniversary. The city has clearly become a magnet for the combination of old and new. It is one of the cities with the highest quality of living. Pure air, purest mountain water, no stress, very short distances, very few traffic jams, clean, secure, a good and safe public transport system, central world class hotels, an inter-national orientation, safe for man and women to travel, and a place for culture, music and the arts.

Thirdly, the Austrian symposium team and the IMCoS Team have put together a program (www.mercator-500.at) of both international academic level and of non-academic splendour. The Austrian Academy of Sciences is an excellent venue. Regiomontanus was here in 1450 at the former University of Vienna. The program is well balanced and the visits in the afternoons are carefully chosen and well prepared. Enough time to have a Viennese coffee and meet old friends from former IMCOS Symposia, and to meet with new ones; diplomats, civil servants, librarians, researchers, authors, ambassadors, old and new members, cosmopolitans, artists, historians, antiquarians, investors, collectors, students, doctors, geographers...,

Fourthly: The social program is one the organising team can be proud of: a variety of visits, including one to a special map exhibition at the Austrian National Library; lunches with buffet, pastries, city walks; receptions, including an invitation for dinner by the Mayor of Vienna at the oldest Heurige of the City; a visit to the well-known monastery of Melk and viewing of their Map Collection; and a romantic gala-evening on the banks of the Danube.  Some special surprises are still being worked on, including the opening ceremony.

Summing up one can only say that for IMCOS and collectors of Maps and Globes, for young and old, the place to be and meet old and new map friends is in Vienna in September 2012. If Mercator would still be alive, he would have loved it.

Some good advice: book early by internet (www.mercator-500.at) to take the advantage of the important early booking discount and to get a cheap flight. 

S. Missinne, IMCOS Austria Representative, President of the Austrian-Belgian Society, 

and Kit Batten.