An invitation is extended to all delegates to attend the Official Opening Ceremony and Welcome Reception. This informal function will provide the delegates with a truly Austrian welcome. The Official Opening Ceremony at the Lecture Hall C at the Old General Hospital will be followed by a Welcome Reception at the Fool´s Tower with typical Viennese food and drinks and the option to take a guided tour through the museum located in the tower.

The so called "Narrenturm" (Fool´s Tower) was built during the reign of Emperor Joseph II^nd in 1784 as the first psychiatric hospital in Europe. Isidore Canevale was planner and architect, but also had to follow the ideas and conceptions of Dr. Joseph von Quarin, managing director of the hospital. In 1866, the hospital was closed and henceforth it was used as a rooming house for nurses and doctors as well as a depository of university clinics and workshops.

Date: Sunday July 06, 2008
Time: 18:00-20:00
Venue: Old General Hospital and Fool´s Tower
Cost: Included in the registration fee

The official Congress Dinner is an important event at the ISFP Congress. Enjoy fine food and wines and spectacular views of the city of Vienna and observe the stars.

The Urania, a public educational institute and observatory, was built according to the plans of Art Noveau architect Max Fabiani (a student of Otto Wagner) at the mouth of the Wien River. Named after the Muse Urania, who represents Astronomy, it was opened in 1910 by Emperor Franz Joseph. Severely damaged in the Second World War it was reopened in 1957. The observatory, which is the oldest one in Austria open to the public, has been continually improved technically over the years. Nowadays, the Urania not only offers a unique view of the moon, stars and luminaries: it also holds a cafe-restaurant, several seminar rooms, a movie theatre as well as a puppet theatre. This extensive range of culture and education is highly appreciated by the Viennese, as well as by visitors from abroad.

Date: Tuesday July 08, 2008
Time: 20:00-23:00
Venue: Urania
Tickets: € 65.00