The scientific conferences organized during war time (1992-1995) in sarajevo.

Author of this paper spent 1479 days in the siege of Sarajevo, during the period of war time in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H). This siege, lasting from 1992 to 1995 (e.g. Dayton Piece agreement was signed in November, 1995) represents the longest siege in the history of the world. Besides usual daily work, as the associate professor of Health education, Medical deontology and Medical informatics for the students of the Faculty of medicine, Faculty of dental medicine, Faculty of Pharmacy and Nursing college of University of Sarajevo, the author organized by himself and contributors, 10 scientific conferences in a sieged Sarajevo. All presented papers at those conferences are published in Proceedings abstract books, as the proof of continuing scientific work, in Sarajevo and other cities in B&H. Additionally, the author continued to publish, in that time, unique PubMed/MedLine indexed journal, - Medical Archives, (i.e. established in 1947) and, in 1993 formed a new journal named - "Acta Informatica Medica" (AIM) , as the Journal of the Bosnian Society of Medical informatics. Bosnian Society of Medical Informatics, thus became the first scientific association from Bosnia and Herzegovina, included in 1994, in the European Federation of Medical Informatics (EFMI) and the International Medical Informatics Assiciation (IMIA) , which was "miracle" from the besieged Sarajevo and war time result of aggression on Bosnia and Herzegovina. It should be noted that the importance of maintaining these academic gatherings, in the circumstances of war, was multifaceted. First of all, thanks to these meetings, the continuity of scientific meetings and activities in the besieged city of Sarajevo was not broken, as well as the continuity of scientific publication, which was crucial for the maintenance of the teaching staff at the university and, finally, in the expansion of the "scientific truth" about what happened in Sarajevo and B&H in these difficult times. All of this was critical to the "survival" of B&H and its people. Some of the published articles, especially in the Medical Archives journal, which even in difficult war conditions did not break the continuity of its publication, and then it was the only scientific journal indexed in B&H, having been consequently cited in the major biomedical data bases in the world. Many scientists abroad have had the opportunity to learn about some of the wonders of Sarajevo "war medicine", thanks to this journal. Finally, despite the fact that it is another way of expressing its resistance to the aggression on B&H, the organized symposia in the war represented the continuity of the scientific research activities. Bosnia and Herzegovina and Sarajevo under siege, in this way, kept in touch with the civilized world and modern achievements, despite the fact that they were victims of medieval barbarism. In addition, these meetings sent a powerful message to the world about the willingness to register and systematize all the war experiences, especially those related to medicine and medical practice, in terms of what Europe has not known, since the Second World War. Partially, we succeeded in that. The total number of 286 presentations were presented in seven war Conferences, as quantitative and qualitative contribution to the scientific activities, despite the inhuman conditions, in which these articles emerged. These presentations and Conferences testify to the enthusiasm of B&H community and academic institutions that have collaborated with it. Authors and co-authors presented the "war" articles that deserve to be mentioned in the monograph "1479 days of the siege of Sarajevo". Unfortunately, many of these brave authors are not alive and cannot read this. The task for us remains to remember them by their own good. Old Persian proverb says; "The event which is not recorded is as like it had never happened". Sapienti sat.

For a long time I hesitated, as to whether to write this text, as the required contribution for the monograph “1479 Days of the Siege of Sarajevo”. My hesitation was largely due to the fact that I was aware that the sole writing of its contents, a subsequent review of the text and its correction will bring unpleasant thoughts and associations of, as the title of the monograph says, “1479 days of the siege of Sarajevo”. As the text was not included in the contents of the named monograph, for unknown reasons to me, and I was aware about the fact that this will all be forgotten if not recorded, I decided to publish it as a “Contribution to history of medicine in B&H”, in the Journal “Materia Socio Medica”. I made the decision to write this article, during the stay in Lisbon in 2009, during the European Congress on Public Health, in the triple function: as the official representative of the B&H Association of Public Health; a member of the General Assembly; a member of the Scientific Program Committee of the European Congress on Public Health (EUPHA) and the member of the Advisory board of European Journal of Public Health. Given that this event brought together an impressive number of over 1,500 participants, which also had associated the scientific conference of the European School of Public Health (ASPHER), a celebration of 60th anniversary of the World Health Organization (WHO) was organized. On these occasions several significant awards for deserving scholars and researchers in Public health in WHO member countries were awarded, among them, as it is usual, again, there was no one from our Balkan region. The first President of the WHO’s General Assembly was professor Andrija Štampar MD, Ph.D. and at least 20 other prominent people from our region deserve to receive one of the most prestigious awards. Awards were given to those among us, who in our area represented the “scientific brokers”, during those 1479 days of siege and put our grandchildren into debt, by the World Bank, for the projects in the field of public health.

Those researchers who were nominated and awarded in Lisbon, had to stay in Sarajevo, during the worst period of siege and made a certain contribution to the captives in the besieged city of Sarajevo, and survived thanks to their own patents, and recipes, of type - as to, how to make something from nothing ? The figure of 5,000 recipes that were cooked in the pauses, between the shelling, in the ruins, which were homes without water, electricity, gas, etc... where, at least two types of heroes of war were distinguished, together with the “heroes in white”. Unfortunately, neither the first nor the second are mentioned or discussed in a far, far lesser extent than they deserve. Due to the limited size of this contribution I will mention some of the sketches from that period, and why these “heroes in white” look like the heroes.

I remember the war scenes, seen in a just finished building of the Diagnostics and Policlinics department (D&P) and the famous room 505 (e.g. now in my head I wear an ugly association for that room, even though the candy “505” has always been synonymous with the sweet and beautiful), in which four of the scientific enthusiasts: Zoran Riđanović, Ljubomir Kravec, Želimir Nastić and myself wrote the impressions of war wonders of these “heroes in white” of the Clinical Centre in Sarajevo, but also of those in other areas, simply with the benevolent hands of people like Susanne Sonntag, Henry (Anry) Levi, Elizabeth Mott and others, come impressions to countries and the people who had absolutely no idea about the events in Sarajevo and Bosnia and Herzegovina (1, 2, 3, 4, 5).

The Canadian government in Sarajevo installed three five KW, diesel-powered electricity aggregate mobile power stations: one in the B&H Presidency building, the second on UNPROFOR premises and third in the Clinical Center. This third one, was hidden somewhere among the concrete blocks, dosed, started and stopped, according to the needs and helped us to organize seven scientific meetings, during this time period. In a very limited number of copies (50-200) we managed to make 47 of a total of 98 (of some sort of issues - war publications), which, in 1995, were officially registered as “the publications from B&H”. The journalist of the war newspaper „Vecernje novine“, Mrs. Danka Savic than made an interview with me under the headline, “For all is blamed the Chinese lantern” has left a testimony on the war miracle - the work of four of us - publishing in the besieged Sarajevo. We knew to walk with the electric test pens in our hands on the third floor of the D&P, stumble on many power cords of different thicknesses and lengths, and search the outlet that is “live” for the printer through which we printed 250 grams thick cardboard and paper whose package of 500 sheets cost 50 German marks (today 50 euros). By comparison, the monthly salaries of journalists in the „Večernje novine“ was 6 KM or 6 German marks. That was the price of a 2 cigarette matchbox. Sometimes the voltage was so low that we alternately used the monitor or printer, or we were printing by shutting off the monitor.

From this dark period, I will mention four most characteristic events (3, 4, 5, 6, 7):

Celebration of 100th anniversary of the State Hospital in Sarajevo (now the Clinical Center) and 50th anniversary of the first Medical faculty in Bosnia and Herzegovina;

Scientific Meeting “War medicine and medicine in the war”, organized in 1993;

Scientific Meeting “Contribution to the history of cultural and educational development in B&H”, organized in 1993;

Contribution to musical cultural heritage of Bosnia and Herzegovina, organized in 1994.

By the first meeting the Sarajevo, as the newly appointed capital of the B&H, transpired in the world and European public the details of which few people knew, even those who have earned a pension in these institutions. Among other things, it was revealed that the Sarajevo Clinical Center, or at the time, when it was founded - the State (Regional) Hospital in Sarajevo, was one of the most modern and among the best equipped health institutions in the Austro-Hungarian monarchy (in which worked part of the best health personnel of the monarchy (assistants of the famous Viennese professors: MD’s (primartz’s) Praindlsberger, Kobler, Gluck, Wais, Vodinski, Kaunic. etc.). During 1898, in this hospital was tested among the first in Europe, Siemens X-ray machine, just two years after its inventor approved the production of such devices in Europe (3, 4). Innovations in the facilities of then four departments with 305 beds with an architectural point of view was such that Europe admired them for many years, and in this hospital such a complex surgical operating procedures were routinely performed, as in the leading university cities – Vienna, Paris and London. State Hospital in the period since 1897 to 1903 had the journal named „GodiŠnjak Zemaljske bolnice u Sarajevu“ (Yearbook), in which the German doctors who were working in this and other hospitals in B&H at that time published on the specific indigenous diseases of this region (i.e. lues, leprosy, trachoma, etc.) and it was interesting for European scientists, so in 1903 in Sarajevo was organized the World Congress of dermatology under the auspices of the German dermatological society. Mentioned Yearbook was officially the first biomedical journal in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which place it among the oldest in Europe. It is interesting that in Sarajevo and B&H then existed the only leprosaria in Europe, and perhaps even in the world, because there were plenty of leprosy cases in the adult population. Particularly distinctive case embalming throne Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophia after the assassination in Sarajevo on 28 June 1914, conducted by then a young doctor Paul Kaunic, which for that situation, but for some reason imposed, was one of medical miracles. Distinguished name of one of the best students of the Vienna Medical School (winner of the Imperial ring 1909), Chief physician Hamdija Karamehmedovic MD, scholar of seven languages, already in 1911 started the idea of establishing the first medical faculty in Bosnia and Herzegovina and visited several universities in Europe, preparing to in accordance with the then adopted Law on health institutions from 1914 implement it. Unfortunately, a mentioned assassination and the beginning of World War I laid down the realization of this idea, until 1944 when the NDH (Independent State of Croatia) government in Zagreb, approved the establishment of the Medical Faculty in Sarajevo as Departmet of Faculty of medicine in Zagreb (at that time there were already the Belgrade Faculty of Medicine formed in 1919 and Zagreb in 1921). The faculty will officially start work on the premises of today’s elementary school “Edhem Mulabdić” now the premises of “Konak” in Bistrik (dean was Stanko Sielski). The first lecture was held on 22nd November 1944 by the professor of anatomy Zdenko Krizan. Unfortunately, this first generation of faculty did not end the first academic year during the war, but students were transferred to other medical schools in Belgrade, Zagreb, Ljubljana and at other faculties in Sarajevo. Officially, the current Medical faculty begins to work on 16th November 1946 and be one of the master faculty of the newly formed University in Sarajevo on December 2, 1949 (5, 6, 7).

An interesting event in the days of the war in Sarajevo was to organize the scientific conference named, “Contribution to the study of musical cultural heritage in Bosnia and Herzegovina” in February 1994, jointly by the Association for intercultural activities and salvage of the heritage of B&H, B&H Academy of Music and the Society of Medical Informatics of B&H. At this meeting 35 articles presented were very varied content, from those related to the musical history of medieval Bosnia, Bosnian nursery rhymes, poetry, Bosniaks dervishes, poets of the Sephardic romances, the interpretation of the adhan in B&H, and ilahia kasida Bosniak history of Saz in Bosnia and Herzegovina, traditional songs, until the pop and rock era of Sarajevo scene. The first time the authors from Bosnia and Herzegovina in a specific way show how the musical traditions of cultural heritage in Bosnia and Herzegovina is rich and varied and well known compared to those in the region and beyond.

The third significant event was the organization of the Symposium “Contribution to the history of cultural and educational development in B&H” in the Academy of Sciences and Arts of B&H in April 1993 where was presented many articles. In the organization of this scientific conference was involved: the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Republic of B&H; Association for intellectual activities and salvage of the RB&H heritage - AIASN, University of Sarajevo; Society for Medical Informatics of B&H; Cultural Society of Muslims “Preporod”, the Croatian Cultural society “Napredak”, Institute for the Protection of cultural and Natural Heritage of B&H; Sarajevo City Library. On the occasion of the opening of the gathering, former president of the Academy professor Seid Huković MD stressed that “cultural and educational development in Bosnia and Herzegovina is often identified only with organized education and to the Western model, which is not quite true. It is true that organized education at various levels played an important role in this development, but, as we medics say, have side effects and adverse side effects. In the literature, one can find many more on the positive role of the education, but much less than it should be found negative side effects of education, as it was in B&H. This represents the reality of today’s life, if we survive the genocide in Bosnia and urbicide to culturecide of the working people, who were the subject of the education and were not without the cultural and educational impact, the kind we’ve had. All of this represents our immense failure and who knows whether it is even possible to forget and forgive... Big flaw in the cultural and educational development of B&H was closely related to the creators and donors of the cultural and educational content. I give all honors to those who honestly carried out their duties as educators, but the trainer cannot be everyone. Many of those who educate our children in those post-war years were presented those “fitted and secure -government funded positions”, must look for a system of skills and virtues. They themselves are witnesses as to who and how is doing this job without: a motive, knowledge, good will basic conditions and positive virtues. They themselves were not honest, tolerant, and some of them were even inclined corruption, nepotism, favoritism, moral and political “fitness” and even crime... Finally, our cultural and educational system had no feedback. To be more specific, there were no objective criteria of success, neither by the donor nor by the receiver in the cultural-educational process. This set should be, if living and able to send a message to take us to a new paths. On the way to seek help and advice from the country and abroad, from the spiritual to the scientists, from parents to neighbors, that our only remaining resource person, being so educated, to behave and act in harmony with the culture of modern civilization and the optimal interpersonal relations...” In my ears are still ringing the messages by the academician Huković and today, 15 years after they were uttered, we are distant and illusory, as if we go for an immediate way and the roads. During this important scientific conference over forty high-quality and highly illustrative reports containing the figures of historical events related to the development of education in B&H were presented. I will especially mention those created during its long history, from the founding of the first elementary school, madrassa, then the concepts and content of all forms of education, from basic to the university, and to all people and religions that exist in Bosnia, among other things, gave birth to the interesting idea that has grown formalized in fact–that the beginning of higher education was the establishment of Gazi Husrev-Bey Madrasa in 1537, which at that time was equivalent to other universities in Western Europe and had a very good education staff and highly trained quality staff, future educators in schools and universities in the later periods. The more fact that many graduates of this school are now themselves university teachers speaks a lot about the quality of the educational institution and its importance in cultural and educational development in B&H. At this meeting were presented and the relevant facts relating to the establishment and operation of libraries in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the establishment, development and operation of all forms of education in B&H, including the establishment of Sarajevo and other Universities in B&H.

And, finally, it is necessary to emphasize the important fact that a first scientific and professional associations from Bosnia and Herzegovina joined to the World and European scientific associations. It happened during the war in 1992 and by the radio link established with the support of, then Croatian Ambassador - professor Gjuro Dezelic Ph.D (also the son of academician and former Secretary of the Academy of Sciences and Arts of B&H, founder of the Department of Chemistry at the Medical and Natural Sciences, University of Sarajevo), a longtime teacher of Medical Informatics at the Medical Faculty in Sarajevo. Society for Medical Informatics of RB&H, headed by Professor Izet Masic, MD is the first officially registered professional association in the war period in B&H since 1992 to1995 has had a very difficult task and also a very important role in organizing scientific symposia. Society for Medical Informatics RB&H, since 1988 with the basic tasks: to improve information technology in health care, health insurance and biomedical research and medical informatics professionals to engage in B&H in the development and establishment of health information systems, and the dissemination and development of scientific and technical information in the field of medical informatics in B&H. The objective of this Association was the start of professional journals and other publications in health informatics in the areas of B&H. This association has helped organize several scientific meetings during the war, a result that is in the difficult war period became a member of the European Federation of Medical Informatics, Lisbon, 1994 in March and in September the same year also the World Association of Medical Informatics at the General Assembly of the Association in Dresden. This association was during the war organized several conferences and launched the first scientific journal in the newly created state of Bosnia and Herzegovina - Acta Informatica Medica (3, 4):

In the period since 1992 to 1995 was held in Sarajevo, those scientific and professional conferences:

Symposium on Health informatics in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Topics: “Nomenclature and classification systems in health care system”, Sarajevo, 30 December 1992;

Symposium “The history of health and social culture of Bosnia and Herzegovina”, Sarajevo, 16-17 March 1993;

Symposium: “Contribution to the history of cultural and educational development of Bosnia and Herzegovina”, Sarajevo, September 1993;

Symposium “War medicine and the medicine in war in 92/93”, Sarajevo, 20-21 November 1993;

Special Topic Conference “Health information systems”, Sarajevo, 26 12th 1993;

Symposium: “Contributions to the study of musical cultural heritage in Bosnia and Herzegovina”, Sarajevo, February 1994;

Seminar “The impact of war on nutrition in Sarajevo”, Sarajevo, 19 May 1994;

“Symposium on bronchogenic carcinoma”, Sarajevo, 7-8 November 1994;

Symposium: “War medicine and the medicine in war in 93/94”, Sarajevo, 16-18 November 1994;

The celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the first medical faculty in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the hundredth anniversary of the founding of the University Clinical Center, Sarajevo, 16-18 November 1994.

First Scientific Conference held in December 1992 in Sarajevo, organized by the Society for Medical Informatics of RB&H. Topics was the “Nomenclature and classification systems in health services”. During the Conference 11 papers was presented from eight different entities (Institute of Clinical Biochemistry, Institute of Pharmacology, Maxillofacial Surgery, Institute of Epidemiology, Traumatology Clinic, Clinic of Infectious diseases and Psychiatric Clinic).

The largest number of papers had a Center for Medical Informatics (27%)

Clinic of Infectious diseases participated with two papers (18%)

Other participants had presented one paper each (9%)

The second symposium was held in March 1993, entitled “History of health and social culture of Bosnia and Herzegovina”, and again organized by the Society for Medical Informatics RB&H. The symposium was of great importance both for the medical professionals as well as the general population, because, as said Professor Seid Huković when opened the symposium: “Knowing the medical history helps to create order, to avoid past mistakes and to take advantage of didactic progress. The claim that there was no history of health and culture is not true. Bosnia and Herzegovina for centuries has been influenced by Islamic culture, Arabic, Persian and other oriental doctors were carriers of the medieval medical doctrine and knowledge.“

At this meeting was presented 39 papers in various fields of science and culture, with 20 different institutions that have studied this subject since then,

The Bureau for the Protection of Cultural, Historical and Natural Heritage RB&H, Department of Ophthalmology and the Institute for Social Medicine, were presented three papers each (8%);

Faculty of Architecture, Faculty of Pharmacy, Institute for the Protection of healthcare, Faculty of Science, Faculty of Dentistry and Center for Medical Informatics were present two papers each (5%).

The third symposium was held in August 1993 in Sarajevo and this time organized by the Society for Medical Informatics of B&H in order to, according to professor Izet Masic, who opened the event, “Bosnians, which is brutal, but life has been taken and taken right to the information sought to enable you to know that there are to know from whom and from where they originated. To know that there is a brighter future and better prospects.“

At the event titled Appendix to the history of cultural and educational development of B&H have been presented a total of 39 papers from 22 institutions.

With five papers (13%) was presented Philosophy Faculty, with three (8%) presented the Faculty of Islamic Studies, while

Institute of History, Pedagogical Academy and Public Institute for protection and use of cultural, historical and natural heritage B&H presented two papers (5%).

In November 1993 was held the Fourth War Symposium with the theme “War medicine and medicine in the war.” After 20 months of experience in the war, doctors and nurses were able to present what they have experienced and learned through work in extremely difficult circumstances, and thus to provide a practical and educational contributions to medical science.

The meeting was attended by representatives from 36 institutions who presented a total of 79 papers.

The largest number of papers was presented by the Pediatric Clinic six (8%),

Four papers (5%) were presented by the Clinic of the ear, nose and throat diseases, Institute for physiotherapy and rehabilitation, gastroenterology clinic and Institute for Public Health,

With three papers (4%) participated Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic, Neuropsychiatric Clinic, Institute of Clinical Biochemistry, Clinic for Endocrinology, Clinic for Dermatology and State Hospital.

Fifth War Symposium held in December 1993 in Sarajevo called “Health Information Systems”, with the theme of possibilities of development of health information system in B&H, without which, as in the prologue states professor MaŠić, “could not imagine a functioning health care system today. In fact, modern information systems in healthcare are the main mechanism shaping the health care system, his rationalization, increase efficiency, economy and self-regeneration.” Counseling is tasked to provide an overview of modern concepts of individual sub-systems of health care information systems and to present the current level of potential and prospects of development of these systems in our communities.

In total there were six presenters

of which three (50%) was papers from the Center for Medical Informatics of Medical faculty, and

the rest from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Institute of Pharmacology and the Electronic Computing Center of Health Insurance Found of B&H.

Sixth War Symposium was named Contributions to the study of musical heritage in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and was held in February 1994. The organizers were the Association for intercultural activities and salvage of the heritage of B&H, Sarajevo Music Academy and the Society of Medical Informatics. From a total of 32 papers from 18 institutions,

Most reports came from the Music Academy, eight (25%),

four papers (12.5%) arrived from Radio and Television of B&H, and

three (9%) from the Philosophy Faculty.

Seventh War symposium was held in November 1994 entitled “War medicine and medicine in the war,” as part of the Jubilee of Health in B&H, the celebration of 100 years of the Regional/State Hospital in Sarajevo (Clinical Center of Sarajevo), and 50 years of Medical Faculty in Sarajevo.

A total of 80 professional and scientific papers from 30 institutions were presented.

Clinic of Infectious diseases had a maximum of eight papers (10%); Medical Faculty, Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinic, Clinic of Pulmonary Diseases were presented with five papers (6%); Four papers (5%) had a Primary health care center; Institute of Radiology, Clinic for ear, nose and throat diseases, Clinic of Neurosurgery, Abdominal Surgery, Clinic for heart disease and rheumatism, and the Institute for physiotherapy and rehabilitation presented the three papers (4%). From the above data in Table 1 and Table 2 and Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 4 and Figure 5 can be concluded that the largest number of seminars and presentations were held in the war 1993 year.

Table 1

Number of seminars held during the war years

Table 2

Showing institutions that are involved with two or more presentations at symposiums per year

Figure 1

Anniversary of 100th years of Clinical center in Sarajevo.

Figure 2

Promotion of books edited by I. Masic & Z. Ridjanovic.

Figure 3

Founders of BHSMI and “Acta informatica Medica”.

Figure 4

Promotion of the book “Medical informatics”, 1994.

Figure 5

Editorial board of “Medical Archives” in the year 1994.

It should be noted that the importance of maintaining these academic gatherings in the circumstances of war was multifaceted. First of all, thanks to these meetings, continuity of scientific meetings and activities in the besieged city of Sarajevo was not broken, as well as the continuity of scientific publication, which was crucial for maintenance of the teaching staff at the university and, finally, the expansion of “scientific truth” about what happened in Sarajevo and B&H in these difficult times, it was critical to “survival” of B&H and its peoples. Some of the published articles, especially in the journal Medical Archives, which even in difficult conditions of war did not break the continuity of its publication, and then it was the only scientific journal indexed in B&H, have been quoted in major publications of the secondary index (8, 9).

Thanks to “Medical Archives” and “Acta Informatica Medica” journals many scientists abroad have had the opportunity to learn about some of the wonders of Sarajevo “war medicine” during war time in B&H 1992-1995.

Finally, despite the fact that it is another way of expressing resistance to the aggression on Bosnia and Herzegovina, organized symposia in war represented the continuity of scientific research activities. B&H and Sarajevo under siege, in this way kept in touch with the civilized world and modern achievements, despite the fact that they were victims of medieval barbarism. In addition, these meetings sent a message to the world about the willingness to register and systematize all the war experiences, especially those related to medicine and medical practice in terms of what Europe has not known since the Second World War. Partially, we succeeded in that. The total number of 286 presentations presented in seven war symposium is as quantitative and qualitative contribution to the scientific-research activities, despite the inhuman conditions in which these articles emerged. It only testifies to the enthusiasm of the B&H community and academic institutions that have collaborated with it (10, 11). Authors and co-authors presented “war” articles that deserve to be mentioned in the monograph “1479 days of the siege of Sarajevo”. Unfortunately, many of them are not alive and can not read this. It remains to remember them by their own good.

Table 3

Showing individuals who have participated in conferences as authors or coauthors A–author, CO–coauthorI–first Symposium, II – second Symposium, III – third Symposium, IV – fourth Symposium, V – fifth Symposium, VI – sixth Symposium, VII – seventh Symposium