‘Science in the City’ festival announces programme

The “Science in the City” festival has launched its programme based on Malta’s leading scientists, artists and influential thinkers who will bring science and arts to life on 27 September at the Triton Fountain, Castille Square and City Gate, according to a press release sent to Business Malta.  

The festival concentrates this year on the theme of “The Science of YOU”, including the expression of creativity in jazz jamming sessions, dances to raise awareness about neurodiversity and setting up a digital area full of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) experiences. 

The Manager for Diagnostic Science Laboratories at the National Museum of Fine Arts (MUŻA) Matthew Grima introduced the activity “Art Detectives” organised by Heritage Malta (HM), where the audience will learn about non-invasive analysis, pigment analysis, and dating for purposes of authentication to reveal hidden information.  

“This year’s theme, The Science of YOU, resonates with the time we are living in. In view of the changes happening and the circumstances befalling before our own eyes, we, as individuals are becoming more conscious of doing our part, and as little as that might be, we can still make a difference. Since research is important, as a Government we have sought to allocate €2.4m to further enhance research and innovation,” said Silvio Schembri, Parliamentary Secretary for Financial Services, Digital Economy and Innovation.

“This is the first time when as a country we’re delving into the commercial aspect of space thus the SpaceMalta Taskforce was set up and is now responsible for the drafting of a National Strategy on this new economic sector,” added Mr Schembri.

Furthermore, Festival Manager Edward Duca spoke about the increasing importance of science communication and how each activity at the festival has evolved around the concept of breaking the age-old tradition of the elite male scientist, imparting knowledge to the layperson.