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Science in the City Festival 2021 will once again be undergoing a complete overhaul, bringing an action-packed hybrid festival on 24 and 25 September. 

The festival that graced the streets of Valletta on an annual basis is moving into theatres around the city, whilst retaining the virtual presence it established in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The hybrid festival hopes to reach both old and new audiences with an innovative programme celebrating science and arts. In the run up to this year’s festival there will be a thrilling series of pre-festival events, with the programme launched on 2 September celebrating science and arts. 

The festival aims to engage people of all walks of life with science, research and innovation through the arts. ‘Sowing Seeds’, the theme for this year’s festival, is born of a strong desire to live in a country that respects its natural heritage. It focuses on empowering audiences with opportunities to think critically, while inspiring creativity and the desire to take action, no matter how small, to improve the world we live in. 

This was announced at the University of Malta, by the organisers during the press conference that launched the pre-festival and official programme of the 2021 festival. Dr Edward Duca commented that “this year’s hybrid festival is packed with activities and events that are adapted for these changing times. My main objective is to create a culture of public engagement with research, science, and to involve all parts of society. We can’t wait to share with everyone what we have prepared and worked on during these past few months.” 

University Pro-Rector for Student & Staff Affairs and Outreach, Prof. Carmen Sammut said, “Science in the City is one of the important outreach events on the University calendar and public response is always positive and inspiring. The University is committed to promote sciences across all sections of society and among under-represented groups. We are particularly active in the promotion of STEM careers among girls. Moreover, we are also committed to involve the arts and humanities given the spread of interdisciplinary approaches.” 

The Science in the City consortium is led by the University of Malta and the Malta Chamber of Scientists, in partnership with the Minister for Equality, Research, and Innovation, Trust Stamp Ltd, Malta Enterprise, MCAST, Qualia Analytics, Esplora, BPC International, SEM, PBS, Spazju Kreattiv, Tech.mt, Aquabiotech, Valletta Design Cluster, Valletta Cultural Agency, The Environment Resource Agency, WasteServ, More or Less Theatre and Keen Ltd.

Follow the festival’s , , and pages, or visit the Science in the City for regular updates.