24th Slovenian Science Festival to be held under the slogan “Nature, People and Experiments”

This year’s central theme Nature, People and Experiments draws attention to nature to which we, as living beings, belong. When learning about nature, a number of questions arise, particularly about our relationship to animals and plants, our own vulnerability and personal responsibility. And these are the questions to which the participants of the festival will try to find answers with the help of program animators. 

The principal organiser of the festival is the Slovenian Science Foundation. Edvard Kobal, PhD, the director of the Slovenian Science Foundation, stressed: »We will present nature also as a subject affected by social changes, processes and conflicts. However, most events will fascinate the participants by presentation of experiments, in particular from the field of natural science, as well as artistic components in combination with science and modern technology.«

The University of Ljubljana and Lek are the co-founders and co-organisers of the Slovenian Science Foundation. 

On this occasion, Prof. Tanja Dmitrović, PhD, Vice-Rector of the University of Ljubljana, said: »Curiosity as a basic human virtue in early childhood should be encouraged and developed. This is not only the task of parents and educators, but also us who work in science. Einstein once said that most of the fundamental ideas in science are essentially simple and if we make an effort they can be expressed in a language and in a manner that can be understood by all. The Science Festival fulfils this mission with excellence. At the University of Ljubljana, we are delighted that such events exist and it is our honour and pleasure to be able to participate in them – together with professors and researchers from different faculties. The university is no longer an old-fashioned institution using the “ex cathedra” method where the lecturer reads a course text out and students listen and memorise the content, with no room for questions. We want to have curious and inquisitive students who have a sparkle in their eyes and absorb and co-create new knowledge. This is also a challenge for us, the teachers, as the students often ask questions that trigger our own curiosity which generates new research challenges and creates new knowledge. Therefore, I wish that as many young people as possible, their teachers and parents, take part in this festival. Undoubtedly we can all learn something new and look at the world from a different perspective.«

»Scientific innovation is key to fulfilling our mission – to find new ways to improve people’s lives. We co-create the Slovenian science environment and are aware that young curious and ambitious scientists can help us unveil different views on the challenges that we face. This is why our support to the Science Festival is the right investment for a healthy future,« said Assoc. Prof. Zdenko Časar, PhD, board member and President of the Science Council of the Slovenia Science Foundation and Head Prototype Analytics at the Sandoz Development Center Slovenia.

During the festival, around 80 events aimed at curious and ambitious youngsters will be held in different locations. The main part of the program, which is linked to natural science and the use of experimental methods in research, was prepared by two members of the University of Ljubljana: the Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology and the Faculty of Pharmacy. This year, the program animators from Austria, Germany, Belgium, Great Britain and the United States will join the festival activities.

The largest pharmaceutical-medical collection in Slovenia with outstanding cultural, educational and scientific importance, the Lavička Collection, the owner of which is Lek, will also be open for viewing.