by EH
In Trieste, the city of knowledge, preparations are in full swing for one of Europe’s most celebrated science events: Sharper Night, also known as the European Researchers’ Night. On September 27, Trieste will join more than 300 cities across Europe in a massive celebration of research and innovation. But here, the festivities begin early.
Starting September 6, a series of pre-events will offer the public a rare opportunity to engage with researchers up close and personal—over beers in pubs, during film screenings, and inside some of Europe’s most advanced research institutions.
Science Meets Pub Culture
Perhaps the most novel of these preview events will take place not in a laboratory, but in one of Trieste’s pubs. Over three consecutive Fridays—September 6, 13, and 20—the Pub El Bufo on Via Malcanton will host “Sumo Science,” a playful yet intellectually charged battle between researchers defending their respective scientific disciplines.
The format is simple but engaging: two scientists will step into a rhetorical ring, each attempting to convince the audience that their field is superior. The audience, beer in hand, will decide the victor.
On September 6, climatologist and physical oceanographer Marco Reale from the OGS will face off against nanotechnology expert Federica Moretti from the University of Trieste. The following week, particle physics will square off against marine ecosystem modeling, while the final match on September 20 will pit materials science against environmental engineering.
“We want to show people that science can be fun, accessible, and even competitive,” said Erik Romelli of INAF, one of the moderators for the pub events.
Science On Screen
The celebration of science won’t stop there. Sharper Night will extend its reach into cinema through a collaboration with La Cappella Underground, a local cultural organization. Two free screenings will be offered as part of the “Cinericerca” series, blending scientific inquiry with the cinematic arts.
On September 12, Trieste’s Mediateca will screen The Salt of the Earth, the critically acclaimed 2014 documentary by Wim Wenders and Juliano Ribeiro Salgado. The film chronicles the life and work of photographer Sebastião Salgado, whose evocative images have captured the beauty and tragedy of our world. Nicola Bressi, a naturalist at Trieste’s Civic Museum of Natural History, will guide a discussion on Salgado’s environmental legacy.
A week later, on September 19, M. Night Shyamalan’s thriller Old (2021) will be screened, followed by an analysis led by Filippo Prencipe, a researcher at the University of Trieste’s Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences. The film’s narrative, which centers on the rapid aging of a group of vacationers, will be linked to cutting-edge research on the science of aging.
Inside Trieste’s Top Research Institutes
In addition to pub talks and films, Trieste’s premier research institutions will open their doors to the public. Due to high demand, exclusive guided tours will be available at two of the city’s most prestigious research centers: the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) and Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste.
On September 13, visitors will have the chance to explore the ICGEB’s world-renowned life sciences facilities, where cutting-edge research in genetic engineering is conducted. A week later, on September 20, the spotlight will turn to Elettra Sincrotrone, where participants can witness the power of two of Europe’s most advanced particle accelerators—Elettra and FERMI—used to push the boundaries of materials science and medical imaging.
Both tours are free but require registration through Sharper Night’s website.
Sharper Night: A Bridge Between Science and Society
The events leading up to Sharper Night are designed to give the public a taste of the rich scientific culture that defines Trieste, a city often referred to as a “global scientific crossroads.” On September 27, this journey will culminate in the full-scale Researchers’ Night celebration, where institutions across the city will showcase their research through interactive exhibitions, workshops, and public lectures.
“This is an opportunity for everyone—not just academics—to understand how science impacts our lives in profound ways,” said one of the event organizers from Immaginario Scientifico, the city’s interactive science museum. “We want to break down the walls between scientists and the public, making research accessible, fun, and part of our daily lives.”
