The first Symposium on Nonhomogeneity in Elasticity and Plasticity was held in Warsaw, Poland, from the 2nd to the 8th of September. It was the first meeting in Poland sponsored by IUTAM (the International Union of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics) and our hosts, led by W. Olszak, spared no effort to make the occasion both memorable and pleasant. Social events and sightseeing trips interlaced and surrounded the very full technical program. From the time of personal greeting upon our arrival at the airport to the time of waved goodbyes, help and advice were available instantly if needed. On the other hand, we were completely free to look around on our own and to visit any place we pleased by foot or by taxi.