exhibition

Genoa

"Deeper than Light" debuts in Genoa

A small portion of the "Deeper than Light" travelling exhibition will travel to Genoa at the end of October 2006 to participate in a European Science Festival.

by Elinor Bartle

In 2003, the city of Genoa inaugurated an annual tradition whereby every autumn the city becomes the European Capital of Science for a two-week Science Festival.

The Festival has been tremendously successful. Last year there was a 50% increase as more and more people become aware of it.

In 2005 there were 250 different events in 77 different venues around the city. In all there were 216 000 visits to the different attractions!

Event organisers believe implicitly in the importance of encouraging the general public to become actively involved in science, so participation in the Festival is priced reasonably. Last year a two-week pass cost only 15 euros.

The theme of the 2006 Science Festival is "Discovery" and aims to explore our planet from every possible angle. The Festival lasts from 26 October to 7 November.

The importance of science communication is becoming increasingly recognised.

The Genoa Festival is one of 21 European events that form part of the "Wonders" programme; events in 2006 devoted to communicating and disseminating information about science and actively involving the general public in scientific activities.

The Research Council of Norway selected MAR-ECO’s "Deeper than Light" exhibition to be one of its three entries in the Festival.

Produced by Bergen Museum at the University of Bergen, which is also responsible for curating much of the biological material collected thus far in the MAR-ECO Project, "Deeper than Light" will be situated in the new conference centre located in "Magazzini del Cotone"; one of the old Genoese warehouse that has been newly renovated.

Magazzini del Cotone is located on the "Mole Vecchio" quay in the old harbour of Genoa. It is central and is situated close to the Aquarium and to the Museum of Sea and Ships.

The small ‘pilot’ from the international traveling "Deeper than Light" exhibition will be presented at the conference centre from 26 – 31 October. The Festival exhibits are open Monday to Friday 9:00 - 19:00, Saturday and Holidays from 10:00 - 20:00.