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The older counterpart of this conference had known a great success on the Colorado slopes. This inspired Stylianos Nicolaïdis to organise a similar scientific event, but with a more « latin » flavour, this time in the Alps, the E.W.C.B.R. (European Winter Conference on Brain Research). Supported by many colleagues and by the members of the Scientific Committee, he was able to achieve his project in 1981, in Vars. The success was immediate and has increased along the past twenty years, up until and including the Jubilee Congress of 2000 in Villars (Switzerland). It has been possible to mix intellectual performance with physical exercise. The Greek common saying « a sane spirit in a sane body » was proven one more time. More intimate, more convivial, warmer than its American counterpart, the E.W.C.B.R. favours discussions and contacts long after the scientific sessions, as all scientists are housed in the same hotel. The E.W.C.B.R. is also more accessible, since registration fees and accommodation expenses have always been maintained at a reasonable level, thanks to the Organising Committee and to the Members of the Association « Promotion des Neurosciences Européennes » who all work voluntarily. Scientific sessions are proposed by participants and approved by the Scientific Committee. Each year, an abstract volume is made of all communications. The success of the past 30 years makes us think that this initiative will continue in the future to insure an excellent promotion for the neurosciences. |