Science and Universities

On the eve of the 17th edition of the Science Festival, we took the opportunity to talk to Eva Carbó and Diana Escobar, coordinators of science outreach projects at Barcelona City Council and two of the most experienced people in terms of this great festival where citizens can experience first-hand the experience of scientific research and knowledge. We talk about the latest editions and the novelties and peculiarities of the one coming up on 7, 8 and 9 June at El Born Centre de Cultura i Memòria and Plaça Comercial. 

The Science Festival is a great event 17 years old. What does it mean to celebrate science?

And what a 17 years! It is really important to celebrate science, because it allows us to understand the world around us and our place in the universe. It allows us to ask questions and search for answers. It nurtures the critical spirit and empowers us to make decisions. Really, is there any reason not to celebrate it?

Not one. That said, what is the reason why citizens should come this June?

For many reasons. It is a meeting place to feed curiosity, to find answers, to be inspired, to open the mind and to be surprised. It is a festival that brings us closer to culture and knowledge that is fundamental to our lives. Science is one of the pillars of our society and, if citizens come to this year’s venue, the Born Centre de Cultura i Memòria and nearby, they will find plenty of participatory and enjoyable activities to get into the search as never before. 

What would you say to someone who has never been to the Science Festival?

That they can’t miss it! What could be better than having fun learning? In addition, this year’s programme includes more than 150 activities in different formats for audiences of all ages, from 0 to 90, covering a wide range of topics such as health, astronomy, numbers, the environment or science and art, to give just a few examples. With this variety, it is easy for everyone to find something that interests them and encourages them to come. 

Edition after edition, what is the general feedback from visitors?

Over the years we have carried out surveys of a large part of the people attending and the opinions are very positive, both in terms of the type of activities and the themes. As it is an event in a public space, we are often asked for more shaded areas, as is logical. In some editions we have been able to have refreshment points that have been very well received, but unfortunately it is not always possible to include them.

Are there any particular complaints that have struck you?

There have been a few, and they have left us somewhat perplexed. On one occasion, with a programme of more than 170 different activities, someone commented that they missed some proposals! But these are anecdotal situations? 

Each edition has a special feature that makes it special. What would be the one of this year’s festival?

Every year we try to incorporate novelties with an ephemeris, a celebration of the international year of the United Nations or a relevant scientific field. In addition, in recent years the festival has moved to different neighbourhoods, from Barceloneta, Rambla del Raval or Rambla Prim, in Besòs-Maresme. 

This year we return to La Ribera and occupy the magnificent Born Centre de Cultura i Memòria and the Plaça Comercial. We are also bringing back the Martorell Exhibition Centre and the Greenhouse, where activities have also been programmed. Another singularity of this year are the outstanding activities around the sea, water, artificial intelligence and archaeology. 

The fact that the Science Festival has been running for 17 years is a great success. Do you think so?

In 2007 we celebrated the Year of Science and one of the main activities was to bring science to the streets. We thought that the best way to do this was with an event open to everyone, in one of the most emblematic parks of the city, the Ciutadella, and that would show the potential of research and dissemination in Barcelona. The reception of this proposal, both by the public and by research centres, universities and professionals in the world of popularisation, led Barcelona City Council to create a stable programme of scientific culture, now consolidated, with the Science Festival as one of its centrepieces.

 The fact that the festival continues to be one of the benchmark events in the popularisation of science in our country shows that the initiative and its continuity is a success and we are very happy and satisfied. 

As you said, this year we have opted for archaeology and a look at the past. Looking back… How do you remember the first edition?

The first edition, although on a smaller scale, already had the main characteristics of today’s festival. It occupied the entire Passeig dels Til-lers, in the Ciutadella Park, and opened the doors of the Castle of the Three Dragons, the Orangery, the Umbracle and the Geology Museum, now the Martorell Exhibition Centre. Nearly 80 activities of very diverse formats were programmed, such as workshops, demonstrations, micro-talks, astronomical observation, a meteorological station, dramatised visits, a reading and storytelling area, cinema, installations and daytime and night-time shows. 

And how was it?

It was a success with 10,000 people, and it was a whole week of activities around the festival in research centres, universities, libraries and museums.  

Why do you consider the festival to be important? What is its main value?

Over the years, the festival has established itself as the largest science popularisation event in the city and has managed to attract a large number of people. However, one of its main values is that it takes place in a public space and brings science closer to many people who come across it by chance and enjoy it without the need for scientific knowledge. 

But not only that, another of its values is to facilitate the transfer of knowledge from research institutions to society. The festival is possible thanks to the collaboration of a large number of agents who have the opportunity to connect with young and old. It is also an excellent meeting point for the professional outreach sector to share experiences and inspire new ideas.

On a personal level, what is your relationship with science, and does organising the festival allow you to maintain your vocational link with it?

We are both biologists, so we feel fortunate to be able to work and contribute to strengthening the link between science and society. As employees of Barcelona City Council, we firmly believe that scientific culture is an essential public service. 

What can’t be missing at a festival to make it a success? The presence of family activities, perhaps?

A substantial part of the festival is designed for families, although its essence is to address all kinds of audiences and be inclusive. To achieve this, it is necessary to offer a diversity of approaches without neglecting any of the branches of science, from experimental to social or humanistic, and to offer both participatory and reflective proposals. So, in a way, everything is vital for it to be a success in terms of participation. We could say that the most important thing is variety, the key to motivating everyone equally. 

And this can be seen from the participation figures of recent editions.

Exactly, the potential of the Science Festival is reflected in its indicators. Throughout all the editions, has had almost 210,000 visitors, which means an annual average of more than 13,000 people, more than 125 activities that have been carried out by approximately 100 institutions, organisations and science dissemination companies. The success is there, with collective participation, dissemination and scientific practice for all audiences.