EGMO 2023 is hosted by the Slovenian Mathematicians, Physicists and Astronomers Association (DMFA Slovenia) and supported by the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport, and the Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities. A letter of support for the organiser has been signed by the University of Ljubljana, the University of Maribor and the University of Primorska.

"The inclusion of girls in STEM has become crucial in today's labour market and in the world. It offers opportunities. Preserving and protecting the environment, finding alternative energy sources, space exploration, developing cures for currently incurable diseases, using AI to improve our lives, all these areas require the knowledge and skills of all of us who share this planet."

The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Nataša Pirc Musar, welcomed the EGMO participants, saying, "The inclusion of girls in STEM has become crucial in today's labour market and in the world. It offers opportunities. Preserving and protecting the environment, finding alternative energy sources, space exploration, developing cures for currently incurable diseases, using AI to improve our lives, all these areas require the knowledge and skills of all of us who share this planet."

After the encouraging and motivational words of the President of the Republic of Slovenia, the competitors were welcomed by Prof Darjo Felda, Minister of Education and Prof Klavdija Kutnar, Rector of the University of Primorska.

Prof Klavdija Kutnar addressed the gathering with a mathematical inspiration, "We are honoured to have you here, because we believe that mathematics is one of the highest forms of human rational, analytical thinking, a refuge of free thought, which, combined with the sparks of intuition, creates immense joy and harmony of the intellect and the spirit. Feelings experienced by those who have long been engaged in mathematical research, as well as by those whose mathematical journey has only just begun."

  

Ana Meta Dolinar, a past EGMO participant and winner of three bronze medals at the Olympiads, who is currently a Masters student at the University of Cambridge, inspired the competitors at the ceremony with her own success story, the experience she has gained at these competitions and the bonds she has formed. 

The EGMO 2023 opening ceremony was officially announced by Viviane Kehl, President of the EGMO Board of Directors, and concluded with the Olympic Oath by Slovenian competitor Katarina Grilj.

We are also honoured to host the 2022 Fields Medal winner, Maryna Viazovska from Ukraine, at EGMO 2023. She is the second female recipient of this prestigious award after Maryam Mirzakhani, who received the medal in 2014. Last year, Viazovska was also awarded the EMS Prize 2020 at the 8th European Congress of Mathematics (8 ECM), hosted for the first time ever by Slovenia and organised by the University of Primorska under the auspices of the European Mathematical Society (EMS).

In addition to the competition, an important aspect of EGMO is socialising with peers and encouraging girls to pursue STEM jobs of the future. To celebrate this, the organising committee has prepared a week full of activities, trips, dance classes and workshops, and the Jane Street (EGMO 2023 Platinum Sponsor) Hub, where participants can play games, solve challenging puzzles and relax with their teammates, will be open throughout the competition.

We wish all the young competitors a successful Olympics!

More photos are available here: https://egmo2023.dmfa.si/galleries/