The 15th IFRF Members Conference will be held from June 13th to June 16th 2007.  The venue will be Pisa/Livorno. In accordance with the new arrangements for IFRF Joint Committee Meetings, the event will be linked to the 154th Joint Committee Meeting, also to be held in Pisa on June 12th and 13th 2007. In addition to allowing IFRF members to visit the new ‘IFRF’ Combustion Research Facilities at Livorno, it is anticipated that this will be a good opportunity for Members to meet their Joint Committee representatives. The famous Pisa Festival of  Candles will take place on Saturday June 16th.

– Pisa. Luminara di San Ranieri. June 16th. On the evening of the 16th of June, the eve of the day dedicated to Saint Ranieri, patron saint of Pisa, over 70,000 candles are placed in all of the windows of the buildings that line the Arno River, all around the colonnades of the leaning tower, and also put afloat in the Arno River; the evening’s festivities culminate with a show of fireworks. This is perhaps the most heart-felt and suggestive of all Pisan festivities, first held in 1688 when the saint’s remains were placed inside the Cathedral where they can still be found today.

– Pisa. Palio di San Ranieri. June 17th. A rowing race is held on the Arno River between the four historic districts of Pisa, with all participants dressed in Medieval garb; the history of the event is tied to the Order of the Knights of Saint Steven, created by the Medicis in the 1500s.

More information on the technical programme will follow shortly.