Shiying Hey, Laryngology Fellow, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK and Alper Senkal, ENT Specialist, Director of Kent Ear-Nose-Throat Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
In the charming city of Antalya, the Union of the European Phoniatricians (UEP) brought together over 500 participants from 51 countries with a wide range of cultural and professional backgrounds. Under the leadership of Professors Ahmed Geneid, Haldun Oguz and Ilter Denizoglu, it was a resounding academic and social success.
The highly educational programme, often run in eight parallel sessions, catered well to anyone with an appetite for phoniatrics and laryngology. Notably, we heard from guest of honour Professor Steven Zeitels from Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School. In his keynote lectures, he shared a wealth of experience in phonomicrosurgery in performing vocalists as well as innovation using the laser in early laryngeal cancer management. We also had the pleasure of meeting senior members of the UEP including Professor Jürgen Wendler, who invented the renowned glottoplasty technique for voice feminisation, and Professor Nasser Kotby, whose work on laryngeal EMG paved the way for current practices.
The social events were truly a highlight. The beautiful Mediterranean menu aside, the Congress Gala was more than your usual networking event. Many of the attending phoniatricians, laryngologists and voice specialists also happened to be classically trained singers, so there was never a dull moment in the after-dinner performances. The attendees were further treated to an authentic Turkish night on the last evening, merrily immersed in vibrant and culturally rich performances.
It is safe to say most of us left feeling rejuvenated and energised about the future of the field, ready to return to our work practices. As the UEP certainly knows how to throw the perfect conference, we very much look forward to meeting this work family again at the next congress in 2025, in Prague!
