Venetonight, firsthand research

Venetonight was once again a unique opportunity to discover activities and achievements of the most innovative research, between workshops, shows, activities for children, guided tours, exhibitions, games and much more. Thousands of participants, workshops fully booked with waiting lists, 70 activities and more than 300 researchers and experts involved.

THE GALLERY

At 9am the series of events begun with climate change on Campo Santa Margherita and will end during the night in the Ca’ Foscari courtyard with the premiere of “Addio a Ulisse”, with music of Giovanni Dell’Olivo and the Lagunaria collective and Mauro Moretti’s images.
This initiative is one of the 300 researchers’ nights in Europe in which researchers meet citizens and show how research in any given field matters and concerns everyone’s future.
The rector of Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Michele Bugliesi has launched the seventh edition by saying: “This initiative was created in 2010 with the support of the European Community to share and diffuse the research outcome and its impact on society with regards to its ability to grow on a social, economical and cultural level. Research is many things and you will see them today in over 70 activities; it is a diverse world, with much study, energy, competence, efforts. Venetonight is an occasion to learn, discover and appreciate our researchers. Without research there is no future. University is too often talked about for its issues but the university, while it may have its flaws, has many qualities as well including contributing to innovation. Long live to research and to those who who will enjoy Venetonight!”.

Researchers in museums
Thanks to the collaboration between Ca’ Foscari and the Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia, the public of Venetonight were able to discover little-known pieces and history told by the researchers. “Marie Curie” fellows, young researchers awarded with the prestigious European fund, were exceptional guides at Ca’ Pesaro, Ca’ Rezzonico, Carlo Goldoni’s House, Museo Correr and, in cooperation with the MiBACT, the Natural History Museum.
In the Natural History Museum, the results of a research on solar radiation on tourists in Venice were presented and an expert showed the visitors a collection of insect usually only accessible to researchers.
Special guided tours explored the National Archives, the Scuola Grande di San Marco and the Doge’s Palace, Ca’ Cappello and a Great War itinerary in Venice.

Activities for kids and teens
Kids were able to dig like archaeologists, wear the clothes of ancient warriors or became small digital investigators exploring financial transactions. They were able to time travel and discover the ancient lives in Altino, the Pharaohs in Egypt, Babylonian spells. Finally they were able to feel like young European citizens thanks to the activities offered by the Europe Direct of the City of Venice.
After the great success of the previous years, this edition included preparing molecular icecream. Researchers explained the main features of molecular cooking and the scientific research in chemical and physical processes that occur when preparing such food and prepared a tasty molecular icecream.

One to one with researchers
Can’t be missed the lagoon visit with a boat of the Sestante association and explanations of ecologists from Ca’ Foscari who spoke about DNA, chemical senses, microorganisms, biomagnetism.
Economics and society were not forgotten with laboratories on online disinformation, banks and finance, surveys and leadership. Young researchers will present their own research on tourism in Venice and on foreigners’ living in Italy without speaking Italian. As well as Ottoman music, sign language, religion studies against stereotypes and the history of Venice re-written with the recent archaeological discoveries in Torcello (the latter in collaboration with the City of Venice).

Visit the website  www.venetonight.it/venezia to discover the programme.