Dear Colleagues,

This year, our Society, like all of us, has to adapt its strategy to the ongoing pandemic, as preserving health is our absolute priority. On the other hand, thanks to some early signs of improvement, I guess we all share the same hope for a short-term evolution towards an endemic virus among others, although we are clearly not there yet.

As for our annual meeting, scheduled from 28 September to 1 October this year in the beautiful, vividly creative city of Amsterdam, we privilege the in-person scenario, while offering the option of remote virtual attendance. Keeping in mind the uncertainty of this prospect, we hope for the best as nothing can substitute for direct human interactions, especially for this global meeting attended by skin scientists and dermatological researchers from all over Europe and beyond. This is an opportunity to thank in advance not only our European members and colleagues, but also our American, Asian, Australasian, and African friends and colleagues for their contribution to make this event a global success.

In tense times, the ESDR Program Committee, chaired by Eli Sprecher, has prepared a superb scientific agenda with an outstanding list of guest speakers from different research fields, giving priority to scientific excellence and at the same time paying close attention to geographic and gender balance, according to our ethics.

I am aware that scientific advances in your labs and units were accomplished in challenging circumstances. This is one more reason why I strongly encourage all basic, translational, and clinical researchers in dermatology and skin science, from all generations, to submit their abstracts and to be actively engaged in the meeting, which will cover all aspects of our research.

I eagerly look forward to welcoming all of you in September in Amsterdam for the 51^st ESDR annual meeting.

Best wishes