Science in the City (SitC) is going digital this year. With the latest rise in COVID-19 cases, the festival team have decided to use a variety of online formats. In this way, Science in the City can continue to engage, empower and enable the community with science and arts in a safe and responsible manner. 

Karen Fiorini, the festival manager, explained that the festival “was always about providing a platform from which to connect researchers and citizens with science and the arts, giving people in Malta and beyond a chance to explore their curiosity and creativity.” Switching to digital will allow the festival to reach broader audiences showing the work of Maltese scientists and artists on an international level. But Fiorini notes that “this doesn’t mean we haven’t jazzed things up. The SitC team has been working hard on the new digital approach since COVID-19 hit, looking for ways to present the festival in an exciting and inspirational way.” 

The dates of the event have not changed: from Friday 27th to  Sunday 29th November 2020, as this year, audiences will enjoy the festival from the comfort of their own homes, through  the Science in the City website: https://scienceinthecity.org.mt/   Here, audiences will find videos, resources and a range of pre-recorded content. This is where you want to be if you’re interested in experiments, science videos, and even sports. Simultaneously, the website gives access to the festival’s live streamed  programme. This live streaming brings scientists, artists and all research aspects, straight into everyone’s living room. 

The festival’s schedule, with activities for all ages, will be released in November. The festival team with dozens of other organisations are preparing digital events in the run up to the festival. According to Dr Edward Duca, the festival coordinator, the festival has “so much content this year that it just wouldn’t fit into three days”. Between the 12th and 26th November, participants can participate in exciting pre-festival activities, like an escape room, a mind altering art installation and debates on online data, Artificial Inteligence, euthanasia and drug legalisation. We don’t shy away from hard topics,” Duca explains. 

Duca emphasised, “We have poured our heart and soul into these ideas and want to share them with the widest audience possible, especially young  people who are curious and excited about the world of science and technologies.” Marked by challenges but painted with enthusiasm and innovation, the 2020 edition of Science in the City has been transformed into an exciting new event. It promises to entertain and educate every inquisitive mind that enters their website by providing the best weekend programme for cold late November days. 

Science in the City is part of the European Researchers’ Night, an EU-wide celebration. It has been funded  by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (under grant agreement No 955263), and a number of corporate sponsors. It is recognised as a Festival by Europe for Festivals and Festivals for Europe (EFFE). 

The Science in the City consortium is led by the University of Malta and the Malta Chamber of Scientists, in partnership with the the Parliamentary Secretary for Financial Services and Digital Economy, TrustStamp, Malta Enterprise, MCAST, Greenhouse, Qualia Analytics, Esplora, BPC International, MEUSAC, PBS, Spazju Kreattiv, Aquabiotech, The Environment Resource Agency, Energy Water Agency, Malta Council for the Voluntary Services, More or Less Theatre, Storm Design and Kreattiv of the Malta Arts Council. 

For regular updates please follow the festival’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ScienceInTheCityMalta | Twitter: @SciCityMalta | Instagram: @scicitymalta | TikTok: @ScienceintheCityMalta | Website: scienceinthecity.org.mt