Following in the footsteps of Linnaeus
2007 marks the tercentenary of one of the world's most influential scientists, Carl Linnaeus. To mark the occasion, photographer Mattias Klum and journalist and documentary maker Folke Ryden have embarked upon 'The Linnaeus Expedition', a journey which will take them to seven continents. Their travels are being filmed and the resulting documentary will be released next year as part of the Linnaeus 2007 celebrations. Linnaeus sparked in his students a sense of curiosity which led many of them to travel the world in search of new species of plants. With their film, the Swedes hope to inspire viewers with a similar sense of curiosity about the world. Speaking to a crowd gathered round the Swedish Research Council's stand at the Euroscience Open Forum, Mr Klum explained what he and Mr Ryden would be doing on the expedition. 'Our aim is to travel in the wake of Linnaeus,' he said. 'We will travel the world, asking the most important scientists of today the most important questions of today.' They have already visited a number of places, including the Antarctic and Vietnam. '300 years after the birth of Carl Linnaeus, we want to explain why it is important to take what scientists produce and realise it is our future,' added Mr Ryden. 'If we don't make a decision, that's a decision as well.' 'We want people to care about science,' said Mr Klum, pointing out that many of his photographs come about with help from scientists. 'Regardless of where I've been, what I've done, I've always been in the hands of skilled scientists.' The film will be released in March 2007, and its makers hope it will be shown at festivals worldwide.
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Sweden