Welcome to the official website of 16th International Congress of Speleology!

                                                                                                                      
 

Introduction from President of the International Union of Speleology

On behalf of the International Union of Speleology I should like to welcome everybody to this website. Additionally of course, I would like to welcome everybody to the 16th International Congress of Speleology in Brno in 2013.

 

The ICS is the world’s premier speleogical event and is organised by the International Union of Speleology and is held once every 4 years in a location selected by delegates of the UIS Member Nations.  The nomination for Czech Republic was approved at the last International Congress in Kerrville Texas in July 2009.  In Texas there were over 1,500 delegates from nearly 60 countries from around the world.  Over 500 scientific papers were presented.  We expect Czech Republic to exceed these statistics.

 

Of the 2,000 plus delegates the common denominator will be an interest in the underground.  For many, this will be predominantly adventure and exploration caving. There will be reports on the latest discoveries from all around the world, particularly those that have occurred recently such as, huge passages in South East Asia, very long underwater caves in France, Australia and Mexico, deep caves in Europe, Central Asia, Central America etc. There will be enormous amounts of fascinating information on the latest discoveries.

 

Scientific papers will include the latest in the unravelling of the underground history book helping scientists understand climate change etc. Not forgetting the latest discoveries in archaeology from subterranean sites around the world.

 

Underground biology will be extensively covered including the relatively new area of microbial and bacterial biology where millions of new species of bacteria are being found.  Some are incredibly unusual and ancient, having remained dormant for tens or even hundreds of thousands of years.

 

There will be a series of competitions, including Speleo Olympics with categories for all ages, not only athletic ability but also cave studying ability will be judged leading on to photographic competitions with a number of different categories including the latest films.  Speleo art competitions in painting, sculpture etc will also take place.

 

There will of course be caving trips both before, during and after the Congress.  The geographical location of this ICS lends itself to some, if not the most spectacular excursions one can imagine in our underground world.  From the gigantic caves of the North East Mediterranean to unusual caves of Eastern Europe.

 

The many commissions within the International Union of Speleology will have their own meetings during this Congress.  These can all be looked at on the main UIS website.

 

Show caves will also have a prominent part in this Congress, and a warm invitation is extended to owners and operators of show caves from around the world. 

 

Finally, we should not forget the social side of the event which from past experience is a wonderful experience to mix with like minded folk in an informal atmosphere to be able to exchange stories.  Let the party commence!

 

With best wishes

 

ANDY  EAVIS