Since 1964 the main function of the European Mechanics Committee has been to arrange Euromech Colloquia. These are three- or four-day meetings for the discussion of current research on a specified and relatively narrow topic in mechanics, by about 50 specialists chosen for their active involvement in research in that topic. The organization of each Euromech Colloquium is entrusted by the Committee to one or two selected scientists of repute in the field, and these organizers are enjoined to achieve a friendly and informal forum for discussion, with a minimum of paper work and expenditure....