Best Wishes for the New Year 2005
 
Dear Speleo Friends around the world,
 
As the international Speleo Congress Year has just started, the 14thInternational Congress of Speleology Organizing Committee sends you the warmest (12-15oC degrees ? Greek speleo temperature) for the New Year and hope it is a year with health, peace, calmness from natural disasters, and happiness.
We would like to bring to your attention that in the last couple of weeks substantial updates were incorporated in the Congress web page (www.14ics-athens2005.gr) and we invite you to look at the details.
Most important, there are revisions in the Schedule of dates, including the ?early bird? registration deadline postponed to 31stJanuary 2005.
On-line Congress Registration now has been expanded to include credit card payment of registration fees, details for accommodation alternatives and the Accommodation Reservation Form, guidelines for authors of papers and an on-line abstract submission system, etc.
Soon the Congress excursions list will also be updated and an Excursion Registration form will be included.
In order to facilitate the support for the Congress organizational procedures, collaboration has been established with ERASMUS Conferences, Tours and Travel SA, one of the top 30Travel Agencies in Greece, and they are assisting with the procedural matters.
We kindly ask you to inform your friends and colleagues for the updated information, and let us know at (info@14ics-athens2005.gr) of the postal addresses of your club, association or group so we can mail you the printed Congress Posters and printed 2ndCircular.
Already we have more than 250 registered international participants, and are waiting to receive your registration.
 
For the 14thICS Organizing Committee
Christos Petreas, General Secretary

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(see www.14ics-athens2005.gr for details)

14th INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF SPELEOLOGY of the INTERNATIONAL UNION OF SPELEOLOGY (UIS)
21-28 August 2005 - Athens, Greece
UNDER THE AEGIS OF THE HELLENIC MINISTRY OF CULTURE CO-ORGANIZATION: HELLENIC SPELEOLOGICAL SOCIETY HELLENIC FEDERATION OF SPELEOLOGY
In collaboration with the EPHORATE (DEPARTMENT) OF ALEOANTHROPOLOGY AND SPELEOLOGY, MINISTRY OF CULTURE
Athens December 2003

Dear Friends, Colleagues and Speleologists, The Hellenic Speleological Society and the Hellenic Federation of Speleology, in collaboration with the Ephorate of Paleoanthropology and Speleology of the Ministry of Culture, invite you to participate in the 14th UIS International Congress of Speleology (ICS). This event of worldwide interest is scheduled to take place on August 21-28, 2005 in Athens, Greece. All the members of the International Union of Speleology (U.I.S.) plus all other speleologists, scientists, and people interested in the exploration and study of karst and caves are invited to attend. With more than 10,000 recorded caves, Greece still has many unexplored, that are awaiting eager speleologists. All types of karst are found throughout the mainland and islands. Caves are precious archives of nature that provide valuable information. Caves in Greece are especially known as rich archaeological and paleontological sites, as well as for some outstandingly beautiful show caves. Speleology in Greece started with the first recorded exploration in 1841. Modern Greek speleology has its roots in the 1950 founding of the Hellenic Speleological Society and has been continuously developing since, with the founding of the Hellenic Speleological Federation in 2001 and the Balkan Speleological Union in 2002. It will give us great pleasure to see you in Athens in August 2005 and learn about your speleological finds, activities, explorations, research, equipment, photos, maps, and films. All subjects and activities of interest to caves and karst are welcome at the 14th International Congress of Speleology. Athens will have a new look after the 2004 Olympic Games: new transportation, accommodations, and conference, athletic, and cultural facilities, all of which shall be available to make the 14th ICS a successful event. August is the perfect month to combine holidays on the beaches or the mountains with caving all over Greece and in neighbouring countries. The Balkans are well known for their karst. There will be meetings, conferences, exhibitions, photo contests, entertainment, and many excursions to explore and tour caves, archaeological sites and other attractions, and of course to enjoy the beaches. We call on you to pre-register, to stay informed of all the activities, and welcome any suggestions you may have for the Congress (more details in the website). The Organizing Committee and all Greek speleologists await you in 2005 for the best Congress ever! The ORGANIZING COMMITTEE of the 14th International Congress of Speleology Note: The present circular and all information on the 14th Congress are available and can be obtained at the website www.14ics-athens2005.gr which is updated regularly. Pre-registration can be done electronically at the web site.