Art, music and culture come together to help discover science in a month-long event in Valletta. Ramona Depares finds that it’s not just about Newton’s apple.
Science is set to get a touch of the cool factor as the first edition of Science in the City kicks off on September 28 in Valletta with a month-long programme of science-inspired art, theatre and music organised by the University of Malta.
Art takes centre stage
Part of the pan-European event called Researchers’ Night, the event will see St James Cavalier Centre for Creativity transformed into a science discovery centre with a collective exhibition, a science film festival, talks and music performances.
However, the event will spread to other parts of the capital with a series of interactive events, street shows and other activities that have science as their tying factor.
The central areas of Valletta, including Merchants Street, the area around St John’s Co-Cathedral, Republic Street and St George’s Square will in fact be transformed into a hub with the aim of getting together artists, musicians, scientists nd anyone who enjoys the thrill of new discoveries.
Science in the City will feature over 20 events in 14 venues, with the main activity being what is probably Malta’s first live science television show, in the style of Discovery’s How It’s Made and How Do They Do It.
The show will be hosted by comedian Pawlu Borg Bonaci and will include live experiments.
Art takes centre stage with a collective exhibition, titled How?, at St James Cavalier. Malta’s centre for creativity will also host a science film festival, talks by Malta Café Scientifique and a piano recital.
At Palazzo Ferreria, the Malta Association for Contemporary Music is coordinating a 20-minute performance (repeated at 8pm, 9pm and 10.30pm), featuring flute and live electronics by musicians from the Music Conservatory of Venice.
Merchants Street and Republic Street will see the addition of a collection of street art and installations by artists Emmanuel Bonnici, Liliana Fleri Soler, Norbert Francis Attard and Raphael Vella.
Architect designer Chris Briffa will be installing an echo-free room in Strait Street, offering those who try it a memorable experience.
The street celebrations continue with a science-themed carnival parade called Maskri Grotteski that will take place along the main streets of the city, while various university student groups give fun science demonstrations for all to enjoy.
And because science can be hard work, visitors are encouraged to drop in for a drink and a chat with scientists at the King’s Own Band Club.
The Malta-EU Steering and Action Committe and the Auberge d’Italie will also be hosting an EU Corner with shows and fun activities for children, while the Malta Council for Science and Technology will organise interactive science exhibits and live science shows with experiments at the Central Bank car park area.
“Science in the City is the first festival of its nature to be held in Malta. We are inviting children, young people and all the family to come to Valletta, meet scientists from university as well as artists inspired by science, and participate in science-related activities in a fun and relaxed environment,” project co-ordinator Alex Felice said.
The event is also aimed towards promoting the new Research, Innovation and Development Trust (RIDT), which was set up by the university to create a supporting structure that sustains and expands research through additional funds to supplement the existing resources.
The trust will be present at the courtyard of the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry in an audiovisual exhibit highlighting its role.
Science in the City is supported by the EU FP7 Programme and the Malta Arts Fund. The event is coordinated by University, in partnership with the Valletta council, Meusac, MCST, Malta Council for Culture and the Arts, Malta Chamber of Scientists, Notte Bianca, iCreatemotion, St JamesCavalier and the IRDT.
www.scienceinthecity.org.mt