Tale Kristin Clemet

Your Majesties, Sir Michael and Professor Singer, Ladies and Gentlemen!

It is a pleasure and an honour to host this dinner in celebration of the second Abel-prize in mathematics.

A year ago the Abel-prize was awarded for the first time. Today I am happy that the celebration of the Abel-prize again takes place at Akershus Castle, and I highly appreciate that our King and Queen once again honour us with their presence.

When we consider the two Abel-prizes awarded so far, a certain pattern can be detected. The first year we celebrated one winner. The second year we pay tribute to two winners. Even without an extensive training in mathematics, I recognise the equation n equals x. Despite the beauty in its simplicity, I expect that the equation cannot be determining the number of winners in the future...

Still, we are very pleased to have two winners this year, and I will take the opportunity to congratulate Sir Michael and Professor Singer once again with the prize. It is well deserved. The Index Theorem has been described as one of the most important results of the last century. The Abel committee emphasises the importance of the interdisciplinary nature of their work - contributing to the building of bridges between mathematics and theoretical physics. Today converging sciences are high on the agenda in the scientific communities. Sir Michael and Professor Singer were well ahead of their time in realising the fruitful potential in the intersection of scientific fields.

Nevertheless, I admit that it is with some anxiety I welcome the distinguished laureates to Akershus castle. History tells us that inviting prominent mathematicians to medieval castles in Scandinavia entails a certain risk. In 1650 Queen Kristina of Sweden invited René Descartes to Stockholm. Descartes, who was not known for being an early riser, was expected to travel daily for an hour to meet with the Queen at five o'clock - in the morning. When we consider the Scandinavian climate and the lack of central heating in medieval castles, it comes as no surprise that Descartes caught pneumonia and died in February, in the freezing winter of 1651. Bearing this story in mind I am happy that the Abel prize celebration takes place during a more gentle season and at a more reasonable time of day.

While paying tribute to the Abel laureates, I also want to say a few words about the next generation of mathematicians. During the Abel celebrations young students from France and Germany are visiting Oslo, as winners of nationwide competitions in their countries. Also in Norway competitions in mathematics carry Abel's name, and are arranged for pupils in lower and upper secondary education. The winner in the oldest age group is present here tonight.

These young students are all gifted. But more often than not, they have yet another common denominator: a highly skilled and motivating teacher.

Niels Henrik Abel was no exception in this respect. Abel was given more or less average grades through his first years at Oslo Cathedral School. He had not shown outstanding talents. This changed with the appointment of a young, new teacher, Bernt Michael Holmboe. He quickly recognised his student's abilities and talents, and was to become an inspiration to Abel for years to come. Half a year after Holmboe had taken up his position, in September 1818, he described Abel as "an excellent mathematical genius".

Another important aspect of a fruitful relationship between teacher and student is described by Professor Singer, when he says: "For me the classroom is an important counterpart to research. I enjoy teaching undergraduates at all levels, and I have a host of graduate students, many of whom have ended up teaching me more - than I have taught them."

To honour the very best mathematics teachers, who make their students see the beauty of mathematics, a Holmboe prize is now established. To me personally, a quote from Sir Michael demonstrated the beauty of mathematics very clearly. He describes his greatest work in this way: "By exploring the whole country of mathematics," he says, "you get to the top of Mount Everest and look around. It's a long route, and when you get to the top, it's a big scene you can see."

Today we celebrate the Abel prize. I am happy to say that the response from the international mathematical community throughout the last year has been immensely positive. I also note with pleasure that the choice of winners has been met with great support.

Before ending, I will take this opportunity to thank the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters for their dedicated work related to the Abel prize.

Please, join me in a toast to mathematics and to the two Abel laureates, Sir Michael and Professor Singer!

Multimedia

Your Majesties, Sir Michael and Professor Singer, Ladies and Gentlemen!