A Symposium for the Science of Light took place 23 to 26 July,  in celebration of 150 years of optics in Erlangen, 15 years since the formation of the Max Planck Research Group at FAU and 1.5 years since MPL moved into its new building. After opening remarks by Gerd Leuchs, Frank Duzaar (Dean of the Faculty of Science at FAU) and Liz Rogan (Chief Executive Officer of the Optical Society), we were treated to 27 outstanding lectures on recent research by renowned speakers from all over the world. Overall the event was a great success, attracting some 300 attendees.