Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/723651
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 7 SEPTEMBER 2016 17 Events Science in the City 2016: Leading edge brain science to shine at Valletta THE wonders and woes of the brain will be the focus of the an- nual Science in the City – Euro- pean Researcher's Night where the latest science and inspiring research on the human brain will be explained through interactive exhibitions, artworks, live experi- ments, music, theatre, and sympo- siums. The fifth edition of the sci- ence and arts festival will be held in Valletta on Friday 30th Septem- ber from 6pm until midnight – participation is free of charge. The Science in the City festival is part of European Researchers' Night and coincides with 300 oth- er events held across Europe. It is supported by the European Com- mission's Research and Innovation Framework Programme Horizon 2020 (H2020, 2014–2020) by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions. "Science in the House" will be hosted a day prior to the festival on 29th September by the Speaker Anglu Farrugia, at which MPs and MEPs can meet Maltese research- ers and talk about their science. The work of the new Malta Neu- roscience Network, and contribu- tions by Maltese Scientists and Physicians will feature in this au- diovisual display in the Parliament Building. The festival programme was presented today during a media conference at the Valletta Campus of the University of Malta. Those present were given a glimpse of the quality of the activities with a surprise performance by Moveo Dance Company. The contributors of the festival, including the consortium led by the University of Malta, the Uni- versity's Research Trust (RIDT), the Malta Chamber of Scientists, various corporate partners, and the Parliamentary Secretary for Research, Innovation, Youth and Sport Chris Agius, attended the launch. Speaking at the event's launch, Professor Alex Felice (University of Malta and Malta Chamber of Scientists) said: "the brain is cap- tivating - both structurally and with its millions of cells that are found in each one of us. The be- haviour, the memory, cognition of the mind form perhaps the biggest mystery of today's science. This is quite a big challenge. There are new research projects both in the European Union and North America that are trying to unravel this mystery. In Malta, we have set up the new Neuro-Science Network. We need to see how re- search can lead to the betterment of the human condition." The Research Trust (RIDT) is supporting Science in the City for the fifth consecutive year. RIDT Chief Executive Wilfred Kenely said, "Science in the City serves as a platform to bring exciting research projects to the public. There will be an array of fascinat- ing activities about the current research in the health and medi- cal field, in particular the brain" RIDT actively seeks funds and support from private and corpo- rate bodies, private individuals, and University alumni to expand the University's research studies. The main festival area will span from City Entrance along Repub- lic Street to St George's Square including other centrally located venues in Valletta. The exhibits will integrate science, knowledge and fun to enable visitors of all ages to learn through hands-on participation. Project Manager Dr Edward Duca gave an outline of the full programme that reaches out to a wide range of audiences — fami- lies, youths, students, and adults. St. George's Square will be trans- formed into a Brain Square featur- ing art installations, music and theatre, an exhibition, and a brain show hosted by Dorian Cassar with a series of talks by world lead- ing neuroscientists and neurosur- geons. The talks will be conducted by Dr Neville Vassallo, Prof Mario Valentino and Dr Christian Zam- mit, Dr Charles Scerri, Prof Lud- vig Zrinzo, and Prof Giuseppe Di Giovanni. Andrew Schembri and Toni Gi- alanzé will lead Brainrave – a sys- tem that controls music and visu- als with the brain. Mount Carmel Hospital will be showcasing the evolution of psychiatry exhibi- tion and an art exhibition will be put up by the Richmond Founda- tion. While the Malta Association of Psychiatric Nurses invites the public to meet them for a chat. Raphael Vella will be exhibit- ing Cortex, an art installation inspired by neuroscience and scientific comparative studies of different mammalian brains. Paul Curmi dance company is prepar- ing a Maltese traditional dance with movements reflecting the disruption caused by Alzheimer's disease. City Gate entrance will also be bursting with spectacular science fair, talks, exhibitions and meet the researchers, including an area dedicated to health and rare dis- eases (National Alliance for Rare Diseases Support Malta, Malta Biobank, Ministry of Health) and the mobile dental clinic run by the Malta Association of Dental Students and RIDT. A display of four anthropomorphic sculptures displaying the evolution of the nervous system will be set up by Liliana Fleri Soler. Moveo Dance Company will present "Trust Me", a moving piece performed blinded on an elevated platform. Other participants at City Gate include MCAST and IASSO labs, Coca- Cola, Wasteserv and Brain Game, and an interactive brain area. Spazju Kreattiv St James Cava- lier will be hosting science-fun activities for children and young teens. These include puppet shows in the cinema room at 6pm till 9pm coupled to Kids Dig Science, science and arts workshops in Stu- dio A. At the Cinema, CineXjenza will present a film on Alzheimer's disease at 9pm, followed by a dis- cussion with Prof. Charles Scerri. Malta Café Scientifique will bring their best science talks at the Mu- sic Room from 7pm to 11pm. Te- atru Anon will be performing "I'm Still Here", one woman's battle with a life threatening condition. The performance will be held at the Theatre Room at 6.30pm, and repeated at 8pm and 9.30pm. En- trance tickets are at €5 each and can be booked from St James Cav- alier Booking Office. Pjazza Teatru Rjal will host an ex- perimental performance of Funk Initiative's debut album, Cartog- raphers, inspired by insights into the human mind by prominent neurologists, psychoanalysts, po- ets and artists from 7.30pm. Meet Gianluca Bezzina, Paul Torpiano, Shaun Abdilla, Christopher Tate, Luke Grech, Fabian Bonello, Dan- iel Buttigieg in between shows at Meet the Researchers at City Gate Along Ordinance Street, exhi- bitions, interactive experiments and activities will be led by NGOs, MCST and NSTF. Republic Street will be taken over by buskers: young scientists from commerce, psychology, medicine, ICT, engineering, phar- macy and health science students. Over 20 stands will be full of brain scans, experiments, health checks and a pico-satelitte. While outside the Law Courts, the Science Stage will feature money, forces and ex- plosions. Another art installation, interac- tive games and experiments will be set up at Pjazza Regina, and at the National Library a series of science debates focusing on the facts of IVF; Euthanasia, Organ donation; overcoming mental ill- ness will be led by student organi- sations GħSL and INSITE from 7pm Science in the City is recognized as a Festival by Europe for Festi- vals and Festivals for Europe (EF- FE). It is supported by the Parlia- mentary Secretary for Research, Innovation, Youth & Sport, Jugs Malta, Studio 7, MEUSAC, MCST, Valletta Local Council, MCAST, PBS, Notte Bianca, Spazju Kreat- tiv, Pjazza Teatru Rjal, and Gen- eral Soft drinks with Coca Cola. The programme can be viewed on www.scienceinthecity.org. mt or follow the festival on Face- book for regular updates: www. facebook.com/ScienceInTheCity- Malta. Dr Edward Duca (first right) outlining the programme of Science in the City 2016. (from left) Prof Alex Felice, Wilfred Kenely and Parliamentary Secretary Chris Agius Nectar sweetens the mission of Victim Support Malta NECTAR is continuing its sup- port to Victim Support Malta (VSM) in the form of meaning- ful help on the NGO's various premises. Nectar's partnership with VSM is now a permanent fixture in the company's extensive corpo- rate social commitment as part of which employees are regularly encouraged to reach out and lend a helping hand to the disad- vantaged communities. Most recently, staff members spent a Saturday at VSM's of- fices in Ħamrun and helped to renovate and paint parts of the premises. VSM provides support and as- sistance to victims of crime, such as thefts and burglaries, do- mestic violence, sexual assault, harassment, discrimination, and cybercrime. All the services of- fered by VSM, including emo- tional support and legal infor- mation, are free of charge and with respect to privacy and con- fidentiality. VSM can be reached on 2122 8333. "Our work with Victim Sup- port Malta has brought some semblance of normality to vic- tims of crimes. This is a partner- ship we would like to continue so we can magnif y the impact of the NGO's work," said Nectar General Manager Andrea Agius. Established in 1991, Nectar has one of the largest sales forces in Malta with 50 sales personnel, representing over 50 renowned brands spread over six sales di- visions. Its extensive portfolio of food, beverage and confection- ery products is widely stocked in all leading supermarkets, hotels, restaurants, bars, canteens, gro- ceries, pharmacies and health shops , apart from other outlets. In recent years, ISO certified Nectar won awards for equality, learning & development, perfor- mance orientation, technology and health & safety, and job sat- isfaction. Nectar regularly encourages staff members to reach out and lend a helping hand to the disadvantaged communities