Even at the age of 88, Hans Albrecht Bethe is one of the world's most resourceful and responsible physicists. He also is one of the most universally admired—not only for his scientific accomplishments but also for his courage in taking on many sensitive political issues and his ability to attract some of the best and brightest students. So his colleagues, students and friends found it irresistible to mark his 60 years at Cornell University, where he arrived in 1935 as an emigre´ from Nazi Germany and where he has remained ever since. In just about every respect the Bethe Fest on the Cornell campus on 31 March and 1 April was a fitting reflection of the man himself: scientific talks on the frontiers of physics and astrophysics and an abundance of cordiality, warmth, humor and good food.