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Proceedings: Alexander von Humboldt's Natural History Legacy and Its Relevance for Today
For the Venezuelan Consulate in Boston, and specifically for me, the reasons which bring us together today are of extraordinary significance, since to be able to participate, even for a few minutes, in an homage to Alexander von Humboldt is, for us Venezuelans, far more than an obligation, but rather a privilege, an honor, and a source of immense satisfaction. And it is specially so, in this case, because of the high level of erudition and distinction of the conference participants, all of whom, originating from different spheres of human knowledge, have appointed this occasion to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Humboldt's arrival, together with that of his no less celebrated French companion, the physician Aime Bonpland, in the tropical regions of the world.
A wide variety of topics, dealing with Humboldt's legacy, will be brilliantly addressed in the course of this symposium by a privileged cross section of North American, German, and Venezuelan intellectuality, the latter being represented by the illustrious compatriots Dr. Otto...