The purpose of this lecture series is to introduce the audience to basic ideas of specific areas of contemporary pure mathematics. Each lecture shall present an area: where it comes from, where it currently is, where it goes. Lectures will be given by prominent mathematicians twice a year: in the Spring and in the Autumn. Before and after each lecture we will organize reading seminars to prepare the audience for the lecture and to dig further into the topic of the lecture. With the lecturer’s consent, lectures will be recorded, slides and/or lecture notes will be provided if available.