“Pages of future” is the slogan of the 2021 edition of the “science & media festival” Scienza e virgola, organized by SISSA Laboratorio Interdisciplinare and supported by Friuli Venezia Giulia Region. "The claim is perhaps hazardous" declares Nico Pitrelli, organizational manager of the event, "but in this unprecedented uncertainty, we need to rediscover the taste for risk. And to do that we have our most congenial tools: culture, science, and books”.
The artistic director of the festival, which will take place from 26 to 30 May 2021, is the writer Paolo Giordano.
The fifth edition of Scienza and Virgola starts from the desire to return to discuss if and how knowledge can help us make sense of the world, despite everything. Strictly respecting the rules and protocols, the festival will take place in presence, in Trieste and in various locations in the Region. If the epidemic does not allow it, the entire event will be offered online. At the center of the program, as always, the presentations of recently published scientific books. “Scienza e virgola” is also documentaries, theater, workshops and much more. The rich program of events have been created with the help of the Casa del Cinema, TriesteBookFest, Bonawentura Teatro Miela, Antico Caffè and Libreria San Marco. All of them are partners of “Scienza e Virgola" and well-established cultural realities in Trieste.
In the program, among other things, on 26 May a dialogue between Paolo Giordano and the English writer Angela Saini on discrimination in science; on 28 May, the show“Stelle cadenti” will address the important theme of artificial mega-constellations and their impact on the night sky; on Saturday 29 May, immunologist Antonella Viola will present her book "Danzando nella tempesta", published by Feltrinelli, together with Paolo Giordano and the moderation of the director of Rai FVG Guido Corso.
From algorithm inequalities and gender issues in science to the concept of time in physics and psychological impacts of hyperconnection several topics will be addressed in the books' presentations. In addition, there will be two video projections (one dedicated to the problems of artificial intelligence and the other to the life of Marie Curie), a theatrical show focused on the figure of Einstein's wife, an aperitif with sound plants, and three workshops: one on comics, one on how to write a play and one reserved to children.
This year Scienza e Virgola crosses the borders of Trieste and presents two events in Pordenone and Udine. The commitment with the regional secondary schools continues thanks to dedicated appointments in various high schools in Trieste, Udine and Monfalcone.
All the events are free, reservation is required. For information: