Remarks by Xavier Blanc-Jouvan
I feel greatly privileged and honored to be given the opportunity to say a few words at the opening session of this Congress on behalf of the International Association of Legal Science (IALS). I would like first to join in the warm welcome that has already been extended to all the participants. Some of those who are present here have come as neighbors, but others have crossed a continent, or an ocean, to be with us today. I know that part of the pleasure of attending this Congress is being in New Orleans, a superb city in a beautiful state. This area of the country has a special flavor for all people of culture and remains very close to the heart of all French people, who like to think of it as a true Eden and still feel a bit at home in such places as Lafayette or Saint Martinville or in the colorful streets of the Vieux Carré. It is also an honor to be the guest of this prestigious law school, which contributes so successfully to perpetuating a unique tradition in the United States: that of a civil law state in a common law nation. This tradition is one of the many reasons why we thought that Tulane was indeed the most appropriate forum for a colloquium on comparative law. And we were most delighted when, as soon as the idea started to germinate, the Eason-Weinmann Center of Comparative Law cordially and enthusiastically agreed to join us in sponsoring this project. All this gives me the occasion, at the very outset, to express my deep gratitude to all those who have made this meeting possible, and especially to Dean Sherman and to Professor Yiannopoulos, who agreed with such generosity and have worked with such efficiency to host and organize this Conference. I know all the difficulties they have had to overcome. I wish to thank them very sincerely for their understanding, their cooperation, and their hospitality, which are well in accordance with southern customs. My thanks also go to the two organizations that have kindly agreed to cosponsor this event: the International Academy of Comparative Law (IACL) and the American Society of Comparative Law (ASCL). The IACL is led by Professor Kerameus, its president, who lends us his authority and experience. The ASCL is led by its president, Professor Bermann, who is responsible for gathering such a large and distinguished audience here, and its secretary, Professor Symeonides, who, along with Professor Stoffel of the International Association of Legal Science, played a crucial role in the preparation of our working sessions.
Our presence here is, in fact, due to a triple celebration. I shall not elaborate on the first one, which is our impending entrance into a new millennium. Although we all know that it will occur only, and exactly, in two months, we cannot ignore the symbol represented by the year 2000 to mark the beginning of a new era. This, however, has already been said so often that it seems useless to dwell on this point. More important indeed, are the fiftieth anniversary—the golden jubilee—of our IALS and the centennial of the first World Congress of Comparative Law, which took place in 1900 in Paris. Let me say a few words about these two events.
About the Author
Xavier Blanc-Jouvan. President, International Association of Legal Science.
Citation
75 Tul. L. Rev. 859 (2001)