  Since the discovery of molecular resonances in $^{12}$C+$^{12}$C in the early
sixties a great deal of research work has been undertaken to study
alpha-clustering. Our knowledge on physics of nuclear molecules has increased
considerably and nuclear clustering remains one of the most fruitful domains of
nuclear physics, facing some of the greatest challenges and opportunities in
the years ahead. Occurrence of "exotic" shapes and Bose-Einstein Condensates in
light alpha-cluster nuclei are investigated. Various approaches of
superdeformed/hyperdeformed shapes associated with quasimolecular resonant
structures are discussed. The astrophysical reaction rate of 12C+12C is
extracted from recent fusion measurements at deep subbarrier energies near the
Gamov window. Evolution of clustering from stability to the drip-lines is
examined.
