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Home , Abel Prize, Bernt Michael Holmboe, Jens Erik Fenstad

NEWS OsloOslo 2004:2004: TheThe AbelAbel PrizePrize celebrationscelebrations Nils Voje Johansen and Yngvar Reichelt (, )

On 25 March, the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters announced that the for 2004 was to be awarded to Sir Michael F. Atiyah of the and Isadore M. Singer of MIT. This is the second Abel Prize awarded following the Norwegian Government’s decision in 2001 to allocate NOK 200 million to the creation of the Abel Foundation, with the intention of award- ing an international prize for outstanding research in . The prize, amounting to NOK 6 million, was insti- tuted to make up for the fact that there is no for mathematics. In addi- tion to awarding the international prize, the Foundation shall contribute part of its earnings to measures for increasing inter- est in, and stimulating recruitment to, Nils Voje Johansen Yngvar Reichelt mathematical and scientific fields. The first Abel Prize was awarded in machine – the brain and the computer, break those rules creatively, just like an 2003 to the French Jean- with the subtitle “Will a computer ever be artist or a musical composer. Pierre Serre for playing a key role in shap- awarded the Abel Prize?” Quentin After a brief interval, Quentin Cooper ing the modern form of many parts of Cooper, one of the BBC’s most popular invited questions from the audience and a mathematics. In 2004, the Abel radio presenters, chaired the meeting, in number of points were brought up that Committee decided that Michael F. which Sir Michael spoke for an hour to an Atiyah addressed thoroughly and profes- Atiyah and Isadore M. Singer should audience of about 50 people. He pointed sionally. share the prize for: out that while computers are extremely After a highly successful meeting last- adept at following pre-determined rules ing almost two hours, Atiyah answered their discovery and proof of the index and that he himself is not surprised that, his own question, “Will a computer ever theorem, bringing together , for example, very good chess programs be awarded the Abel Prize?”: – Only if the and analysis, and their out- have been developed, what is surprising is Abel Prize Committee is replaced by com- standing role in building new bridges that people are still able to play chess on puters. between mathematics and theoretical an equal footing with machines. In other physics. words, computers are good at following Youth and maths in the celebration of rules, but what they are not able to do is to This year’s committee consisted of Erling break the rules in a creative manner. As Monday 24 April was Youth Day, on Størmer (Oslo, Leader), David Mumford an example, he cited Niels Henrik Abel’s which the Abel Committee invited the (Brown University), Jacob Palis (IMPA, proof of the impossibility of solving the winners of various mathematical competi- Brazil), (MIT) and Don general quintic equation. A computer tions for young people to Oslo. In addi- Zagier (Max-Planck-Institut für would have continued to search for the tion to the winners of the Abel Mathematik, Germany). solution, and would never have been able Competition for Norwegian upper sec- The Abel Prize for 2004 was presented to break the rules, as Abel did, and look at ondary schools and of KappAbel, the on 25 May, the occasion being marked by the inverse of the problem. As a mathe- mathematics competition for schools, the a number of associated events in Oslo. matician you have to know the rules, but winners of mathematics competitions in to create something new you have to Berlin and France were also invited. The Café Scientifique main event took place at Oslo Cathedral On Sunday 23 May, Sir School – the school at which Abel himself participated in the first event in connec- was a pupil. An audience of 200 was tion with the award of this year’s Abel assembled, mostly consisting of the Prize. In collaboration with the school’s own mathematics pupils. After a Norwegian Association of Young brief introduction by Paul Jasper, head- Scientists, the British Council arranged a master of the school, one of the pupils, Café Scientifique at the Kafé Rust in Jon Strand, took over and led the pro- ceedings with capable hands. First the Oslo, in which Atiyah gave an informal Café Scientique: Quentin Cooper lecture on his chosen subject: Man versus (BBC) and Sir Michael Atiyah French students presented their winning EMS September 2004 31 NEWS colourful Abel Prize banners. This year’s modern mathematician. His whole prize winners arrived at the packed hall to approach, with its generality, its insight the sound of Klaus Sanvik’s recently- and its elegance, set the tone for the next composed Abel Fanfare, performed by two centuries. If Abel had lived longer, he Sidsel Walstad on electric harp, followed would have been the natural successor to by the arrival of the King and Queen. the great Gauss: a statement with which I Lars Walløe, the President of the fully concur except for the qualification Norwegian Academy of Science and that Abel was a much nicer man, modest, Letters, welcomed those present to the friendly and likeable. I am proud to have Awards to the winners of ceremony. Before the official presenta- a prize that bears his name.” the Abel competition tion, the audience were given a surprise in After that it was the turn of Isadore entry to the competition, “Niels Henrik the form of a new arrangement of Michael Singer, who started with a confession. Abel in the French tradition”. The audi- Jackson’s Billy Jean, performed by Sidsel “Outside of the university environment it ence were then given an introduction to Walstad (electric harp), Mocci Ryen is difficult to be a pure mathematician. No the winning project in this year’s (vocals) and Børre Flyen (percussion). one in my family understands what I do. KappAbel competition, and Sir Michael The lively and youthful performance was At parties, when someone learns I am a Atiyah and Professor appreciated, at least by Isadore Singer, mathematician, they frown and say; “Oh, awarded a book prize to the young partic- who tapped his foot enthusiastically in I never could understand calculus”, and ipants. After this, Per Manne, the leader time with the music. they turn away.” After this description, of the Norwegian Mathematics Council, The leader of the Abel Committee, all too familiar to many, Singer described took the floor and presented information Erling Størmer, briefly explained the rea- how are fascinated by the about a recently established prize for sons for the selection of Atiyah and beauty, logic and power of mathematics. good mathematics teaching, in memory of Singer as this year’s prize winners: “The The index theorem itself had “provided . Holmboe was Atiyah-Singer index theorem is one of the new insight in such fields as Gauge theo- the teacher who discovered Niels Henrik most important mathematical results of ry and String theory. Breakthroughs in Abel’s exceptional talent and who was his the twentieth century. It has had an enor- physics needed new mathematics, and the early tutor. The Norwegian Mathematics mous impact on the further development index theory frequently supplied what was Council arranges the Holmboe Prize, with of topology, differential geometry and needed. Mathematicians and physicists financial support from the Abel theoretical physics. The theorem also pro- began talking to each other again. Now Foundation. The prize is to be awarded vides us with a glimpse of the beauty of we take for granted this new discipline of annually to one or more teachers who mathematical theory in that it explicitly .” Finally, Singer have distinguished themselves through demonstrates a deep connection between stated that the establishment of the Abel high quality and inspiring mathematics mathematical disciplines that appear to Prize attracts the attention of the world teaching. In conjunction with the award of be completely separate.” and emphasises the fundamental role the prize, a symposium on mathematics After the address, His Majesty King which mathematics plays in modern liv- and mathematics teaching will also be Harald presented the Abel Prize to the two ing. held. winners. The ceremony was concluded with Sir Michael Atiyah commenced his Edvard Grieg’s Halling before the King Wreath laying at the Abel monument acceptance speech by thanking colleagues and Queen and the Abel Prize winners left At 5 p.m. there was a wreath laying cere- who had made important contributions to the hall. mony at Gustav Vigeland’s monument to the work, mentioning in particular Fritz Abel, which stands in front of the Royal Press conference Palace in Oslo. The ceremony began with Following the prize ceremony, a press a display by a troop from His Majesty’s conference was held in the “Annen Etage” Corps of Signals. Then the leader of the restaurant at the Hotel Continental. Jens Abel Committee, , held Erik Fenstad and Jacob Palis commenced a short speech in which he explained by providing information about the about the origin of the Abel monument. involvement of the Abel Foundation and The ceremony culminated in the wreath the IMU with regard to the developing laying by Atiyah and Singer. Afterwards, countries, after which the floor was open the younger contingent retired to a restau- Abel Fanfare (Photo: Anne Lise Flavik) to the Press to put their questions to the rant, while the two prize winners and the prize winners. There was also an opportu- members of the Norwegian Academy of Hirzebruch, Raoul Bott, Graeme Segal nity to taste something new. Morten Science and Letters were invited to dinner and Nigel Hitchin. He went on to explain Hallan, the hotel’s Chef, had created a at the Academy. that right from the time of Newton to that completely new Abel cake, which was on of Einstein there has been a close rela- sale in the legendary Theatercafeen dur- The prize ceremony tionship between mathematics and the ing “Abel Week”. The recipe is of course After an audience with Their Majesties exploration of the natural world. “One of secret, but the different layers of the cake King Harald and Queen Sonja earlier in the unexpected joys of my partnership are as follows: First a base of chocolate the day, it was time for the prize ceremo- with Is Singer has been that these links cake soaked in blackcurrant liqueur, fol- ny in the Great Hall of Oslo University. with physics have been reinforced during lowed by a layer of chocolate truffle and The main street of Oslo, Karl Johans gate, our time” In conclusion, Atiyah said that then a layer of blackcurrant preserve, cov- was decorated for the occasion with in his opinion, “Abel was really the first ered by nut meringue, and topped off with 32 EMS September 2004 NEWS Italian meringue. The cake is decorated standing of the beauty of mathematics to link is illustrated by the Gauss-Bonnet with white and dark chocolate and their students. In connection with this she theorem. By means of the Atiyah-Singer caramel cornets filled with blackcurrants. quoted Sir Michael: By exploring the index theorem, an overall unification of Bon appétit! The cake will also be served whole country of mathematics you get to the disciplines was acquired. In turn, this in connection with future prize cere- the top of Mount Everest and look around. new insight formed the origin of countless monies. It’s a long route, and when you get to the applications in the field of theoretical top, it’s a big scene you can see. The physics. The exhibition paid special atten- Minister went on to express her delight tion to applications in the fields of gauge with the international response to the theory and string theory. The exhibition Abel Prize: it had been extremely posi- was located in the foyer outside the audi- tive, and she noted that the selection of torium in which the Abel Lectures were winners had gained widespread support. held and was the result of collaboration She then gave the floor to the president between the Departments of Mathematics of the European Mathematical Society, and Physics at the . Sir John Kingman. In his speech, Sir John touched on the The mathematicians’ own party criteria for the successful establishment of On the evening of 26 May, it was time to the Abel Prize: “The great name of Niels drop the formalities. The Abel days in Henrik Abel is important. Of course the Oslo were wound up with a party at the The Abel cake with the logo of the Abel actual value of the prize is important. It is Norwegian Academy of Science and Prize (Photo: Knut Falch/Scanpix) also important that those who select the Letters. Mathematicians from near and far Banquet prize winners select people that future were invited, in addition to other people At 7 p.m. the same day, the Norwegian prize winners will be proud to follow.” who had worked with this year’s events. Government held an Abel banquet at He went on to point out that such a prize The atmosphere was pleasant and every- Oslo’s historic Akershus Fortress, hosted could have a positive effect on recruit- body had an opportunity to meet old by Kristin Clemet, the Minister of ment, which is of considerable impor- friends and make new acquaintances. As a Education and Research. The banquet was tance since we need “new mathematicians contribution to the convivial atmosphere, attended by the King and Queen, doing new mathematics. Whether it is refreshments were served and throughout Norwegian and foreign mathematicians, what we call pure mathematics, mathe- the venerable building musical treats of eminent politicians and members of matics for its own sake, or whether it is various types could be enjoyed. Norwegian society. Many people recog- pursuing interesting new applications, nised the mathematician John Donaldson, applying the techniques which the so- Photos in this article without a credit are father of Danish Crown Princess Mary called pure mathematicians have invent- © Dept of Mathematics: UoO Donaldson, who was specially invited to ed.” the Abel Prize ceremony by King Harald Nils Voje Johansen [[email protected]. at the wedding of the Crown Prince of Exhibition no] and Yngvar Reichelt [reichelt@math. some weeks before. After a wel- In connection with the award of this uio.no] are associated to the Department coming cocktail in Christian IV’s Hall, year’s Abel Prize, an exhibition was of Mathematics at the University of Oslo. the party proceeded to Skriverstuen (the staged with the objective of informing Both were members of a group of mathe- Scribes’ Hall), where all were welcomed laypersons about the work of the prize maticians that formulated the suggestion by the Minister of Education and winners. The exhibition was based on to the Norwegian government to install Research, Sir Michael and Professor simple concepts in the fields of topology, the Abel Prize in commemoration of Niels Singer. Dinner was then served in the geometry and analysis, and demonstrated Henrik Abel’s bicentenary, which was Romerike Hall. The menu consisted of how the links between the disciplines had finally adopted by the Norwegian parlia- Norwegian trout and turbot, veal fillet and been discovered. An example of such a ment. caramel mousse. In her address, the Minister, Kristin Clemet, mentioned that there was one The Abel Prize 2005 winner (Jean-Pierre Serre) at the first King Harald of Norway will present the Abel Prize for 2005 to the winner Abel Prize ceremony, while at the second on May 24th in the Aula of the University of Oslo. The deadline for nom- there were two winners. Based on this, one could perhaps draw the conclusion inating candidates is the 15th of November 2004. that the number of prize winners would be Nominations letters should contain a CV and a description of the can- determined by the equation x = n, where n didate's work, together with names of distinguished specialists in the field is the number of years the prize has exist- of the nominee who can be contacted for independent opinion. The letter ed. Having reminded the audience of the should be marked "Abel Prize Nomination" and addressed to: story of Descartes, who died of pneumo- The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters nia when he visited Scandinavia, she touched on the effect of the Abel Prize on Drammensveien 78 the recruitment of future mathematicians. NO-0271 OSLO The Holmboe Prize has now been created Norway to honour the best mathematics teachers – Detailed information is obtainable from the web site www.abelprize.no . those with the ability to impart under- EMS September 2004 33