This volume deals with both the experimental and theoretical aspects of meson physics; in particular, it presents new results. The main topics are: hadronic and electromagnetic meson production in various reactions; meson interaction with mesons, nucleons and nuclei; the structure of hadrons; mesons and fundamental symmetries; exotic systems. The book provides an overview of the current status of these areas, as well as of new developments, besides giving a preview of the forthcoming investigations.

Valerio Filippini devoted his life to physics. His scientific contributions were provided in the OBELIX and FINUDA experiments. The FINUDA experiment collected physics data immediately after the roll-in, thanks to the reliability and simplicity of the on-line system designed and assembled by the physicist. This work is dedicated to him.

This conference brought together leading experts on the topic of nuclear dynamics. The focus was on the interaction between experimentalists and theorists. Special attention was given to working out unifying concepts between different energy regimes — from the Coulomb barrier to the ultra-relativistic RHIC domain. The proceedings reflect those efforts.