Detrital dynamics drive pivotal functions in freshwater ecosystems and attract an increasing number of researchers from diverse disciplines. The European Meeting on Litter Breakdown in Rivers and Streams, held in 1997 in Bilbao, was the first of a series of successful conferences held under different names, but always remembered for their friendly and collaborative atmosphere. Now, 20 years later, we return to Bilbao for the 8th Conference on Plant Litter Processing in Freshwaters.

Under the topic "20 years of breakdown", we seek for scientists analysing the abundance, characteristics and dynamics of detritus in freshwaters, the associated biological communities, their response to environmental change, the applications for ecosystem management as well as the implications regarding ecological theories. The conference will include a full range of sessions, plenary lectures, social events and field trips. A call for papers will be issued soon. Block your agenda, and come on to the place where it all started!