Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/400468
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 19 OCTOBER 2014
39
THIS WEEK
Science and
Medicine at
University Open
Day
THE Faculty of Science at the Uni-
versity of Malta is celebrating its
100th year with a special Science
zone in the Marquee during Discov-
er University Open Day on October
26 from 10:00 to 17:00.
Demonstrations by the Depart-
ment of Physics will answer ques-
tions such as 'What is Science? What
can it teach us about the World?'
Experts will explain that science
not only gives us information on
how the world works, but also a way
of finding out new things about it.
From the infinitesimally small world
of quantum physics to the immen-
sity of astrophysics, through the
scientific method, we can learn how
everything from nanoparticles to gi-
gantic galaxies move and evolve over
time.
The basic steps of the method are
very straightforward: first identify a
mechanism or system that we do not
understand, next brainstorm with
as many explanations as possible
and finally test each one out against
a real experiment to try to find out
which one correct, if any.
The Science stand will show a
number of seemingly simple but
interesting concepts that feature in
our everyday lives and show what
happens in the extreme. For exam-
ple what happens when a tube with
a loud speaker and full of gas is set
on fire?
'From Breaking Bad to Breaking
Everything' is the title given to dem-
onstrations by the Department of
Chemistry, aimed to demystify the
topic and to display the wonders of
Chemistry, from brilliant colours
to powerful explosions, in order to
explain some basic concepts of the
subject, in a fun and easy way.
The Department of Biology is or-
ganising a Botanical Tour around
the University conducted by the
well-known biologist Dr Sandro
Lanfranco. The meeting point is by
the Biology Stand at 12:45.
S-Cubed, the Science Student Soci-
ety, shall be conducting DIY Science
– a series of hands-on and simple
experiments in which visitors can
participate.
The Faculty of Medicine and Sur-
gery also has interesting activities
laid out in the Pavilion Atriju Vas-
salli on Open Day. BodyParts is a
small exhibition of teaching speci-
mens made by the Department of
Anatomy at the University to teach
Anatomy to medical students. These
specimens are made by plastinat-
ing (i.e. converting into plastic) real
specimens of the human body after
preservation. The specimens can
therefore be examined quite harm-
lessly by the public and can be used
for public health education. The
process of plastination was invented
by Dr Gunther Huygens in Heidel-
berg and the University has been
using this to preserve exceptionally
useful specimens of human dissec-
tion to prevent further deteriora-
tion and store them without the use
of harmful chemicals. A few other
specimens will also be displayed,
including a silicone cast of the lungs
and a decellurised porcine heart,
amongst others.
From 11:00 to 17:00, the Malta
Medical Students' Association
(MMSA) will be participating with
health checks (blood pressure, blood
glucose, BMI), various experiments
with explanations regarding what is
going on and why such changes oc-
cur, and a kids' area with a teddy bear
hospital, information on healthy eat-
ing, and more. The students will
also be promoting the MMSA App.
At 14:00 a tug-of-war between the
Malta Medical Students Association
(MMSA) and the Malta Health Stu-
dents' Association (MHSA) in front
of the University Library is bound to
create excitement.
For more information and a full
programme of the Discover University
starting October 26, log on to: http://
www.um.edu.mt/discoveruniversity
THE Valletta 2018 Foundation is
currently receiving applications for
Malta Showcase Portfolio 2015 – a
curated catalogue of Maltese per-
forming arts repertoire available
for programming internationally.
The content of Malta Showcase
will be shared with artistic direc-
tors, programmers and ambas-
sadors interested in presenting
work by Maltese performers. The
portfolio is intended for all types of
performances and artistic genres
currently in repertoire.
This is the first initiative of its
kind intended to maximise the po-
tential of contemporary Maltese
performers and raise their profile
internationally.
Following the call for applica-
tions, which ends on October 31,
a panel of evaluators will select
works to appear in Malta Showcase.
These works must have already
been created and available for in-
ternational presentation. Through
Malta Showcase new opportuni-
ties for artists and a collaborative
platform between cultural organi-
sations and international partners
are being created. The aim is to
give high-end productions a life
span beyond a performance or fes-
tival week.
Through Malta Showcase, the
Valletta 2018 Foundation is lead-
ing a coordinated opportunity for
actors, musicians and dancers, to
export their work and further de-
velop their careers. International
audiences and networks are es-
sential for the growth and develop-
ment of the creative sector and for
the professionalisation of artists.
The first edition of Malta Show-
case, 'Portfolio 2014', was launched
in July in collaboration with
ŻiguŻajg Arts Festival for Chil-
dren and Young People, featuring
the best of Malta's repertoire in
theatre, music, interactive per-
formances and comedy for young
audiences. These performances
were commissioned over the past
three years by ŻiguŻajg.
Applications for Portfolio 2015
can be downloaded from the web-
site www.maltashowcase.com.
The chosen performances will be
published in a booklet and on the
website and the showcase will be
updated annually.
Repertoire must be of a high
standard, unique and innovative,
and performers must demonstrate
artistic excellence in the submit-
ted work. The proposed repertoire
must be complete, documented
and ready for export.
The deadline for applications is
Friday 31st October 2014.
AUTUMN colours bring to mind
the venerable pumpkin and the
village of Manikata will be cele-
brating the orange vegetable at the
end of the month.
The seventh edition of the Pump-
kin Feast in Manikata, which will
be held on October 26 between
10:00 to 16:00, will be offering a
variety of these recipes.
Although the typical pumpkin
pies are a must on the menu, there
will be different dishes served on
the day, to satisfy the taste buds
of all those who visit. These will
include pumpkin soup, chicken
and pumpkin risotto, pumpkin
tortellini, pumpkin ravioli and
cakes and sweets, which of course,
have pumpkin amongst the ingre-
dients.
This year the main entertainers
will be the Country Brothers. An-
other attraction will be the pump-
kin carvings of sculptor Martin
Bezzina Wettinger. A children's
play area with bouncy castle and
face painting will also be set up on
the day.
Being a village where farming
is the main industry, one can-
not miss buying some fresh local
vegetables and pumpkins of all
shapes and sizes. Stalls with gifts
and handmade creations will also
be set up.
This activity is being organised
by Koperattiva Rurali Manikata
with the help of the Pastoral Coun-
cil of the Parish of Manikata and
the Mellieħa Local Council. There
will be free Park and Ride services
available from Ħal Ferh car park to
Manikata.
EDEN Cinemas will
be showing Giuseppe
Verdi's exceptional
opera 'I Due Foscari'
exclusively on Octo-
ber 27 at 20:15.
Broadcast live
from the Royal Op-
era House in Cov-
ent Garden, the ac-
claimed staging of
this new production
is brought to life by
American director
Thaddeus Strass-
berger, who makes
his Royal Opera
debut in the 2014/15
season.
Starring in Verdi's tragedy of love
versus duty is the renowned baritone
Plácido Domingo who plays the role
of Francesco Foscari. Conducted by
Antonio Pappano and featuring the
Royal Opera Chorus and the Orches-
tra of the Royal Opera House, I Due
Foscari is a taut and sombre drama
which provides the basis for one of
Verdi's most arresting early scores,
which hasn't been heard at the Royal
Opera House in almost a decade.
I Due Foscari is based on a play by
Byron, set in 15th century Venice.
The story revolves around the city's
Doge, Francesco Foscari and his son
Jacopo, who has been brought back
from exile to face charges of trea-
son. Jacopo is innocent, but neither
the pleas of his wife, nor those of his
powerful father are enough to save
Jacopo from condemnation.
Adding further intensity to Verdi's
magnificent score is the enhanced
sound and dimmed theatre light-
ing in Eden Cinemas' multipurpose
theatre, which pro-
vides an authentic
feel. Ensuring that
the evening is a truly
remarkable experi-
ence, the audience
pays just a fraction of
that charged overseas
for theatre tickets.
Tickets for I Due
Foscari are priced at
€23 for adults and
€10 for children aged
16 and under. Making
the evening a night to
remember, the au-
dience is offered a
complimentary glass
of wine, complimentary parking and
a 25% discount at Waterbiscuit upon
presentation of their ticket.
Various season specials and dis-
counts are also being offered from the
box office, including a 15% discount
with the purchase of six perform-
ances. Special discounts for school
bookings are also being offered.
For more information and to pur-
chase tickets visit
www.edenculture.com.mt
Applications for Malta
Showcase Portfolio 2015 open
Pumpkin festival to be held in Manikata
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