Jan Velinger • foto: Vladimír Šigut • 12 November 2019

Nineteenth annual Science and Technology Week underway



Charles University faculties among partners popularising science

The 2019 Week of Science and Technology, the biggest festival of its kind in the Czech Republic, organised by the Czech Academy of Sciences, got underway on Monday, kicking off more than 700 events. Included are lectures, workshops exhibitions, screenings, and technical displays – at venues across the country. A large part of the programme will take place in Prague, including at participating faculties at Charles University.

Science and Technology Week is a festival unlike any other – offering members of the public a peek into the proverbial kitchen (or in this case laboratory) to see how real science and scientific research are conducted (and successes achieved).

The head of the Czech Academy of Sciences Eva Zažímalová launches Science and Technology Week in Prague.

The head of the Czech Academy of Sciences Eva Zažímalová launches Science and Technology Week in Prague.

All week, visitors will have a chance to choose from a rich programme of events and workshops including videomapping of the Academy of Science’s main building on Narodní Street.

Themes this year include threats such as global warming and natural disasters as well as the upcoming 30th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution that brought down totalitarianism in the former Czechoslovakia in 1989. The head of the Czech Academy of Sciences Eva Zažímalová explained Monday that one of the paramount aims of Science and Technology Week continues to be the popularisation of science, casting a spotlight on the latest findings and research:

“We feel there is a duty to of course inform the public about how research is conducted and to make the information accessible to to people from different fields. Another reason we do it is that it keeps us on our toes: if you want to explain things to a lay audience or the broader public, you really have to understand all of the facets yourself. A third reason, is that we feel there is a lot to be proud of and that Czechs can celebrate successes not just in sport or the art world but also in science.”

Professor Miroslav Bárta, the head of Czech Institute of Egyptology at Charles University, interviewed ahead of festival launch.

Professor Miroslav Bárta, the head of Czech Institute of Egyptology at Charles University, interviewed ahead of festival launch.

Professor Miroslav Bárta, who heads the Czech Institute of Egyptology at Charles University and is the school’s vice-rector for public affairs, agrees the emphasis on global issues and science together with the events of November 17 is spot on:

“Science, freedom and responsibility are the main topics and I think they were the right choice. As we know, society faces all kinds of challenges and these words signify ways we have to approach them. As a partner, Charles University and many of its faculties are very much involved in this year’s festival and we are very happy to be a part of it.”

The Czech Academy of Sciences.

The Czech Academy of Sciences.

Faculties at Charles University taking part in the 2019 Week of Science and Technology include the First and Second Faculties of Medicine, the Faculty of Social Sciences, the Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, the Faculty of Arts, and the Catholic Theological Faculty.

You can find listings of all events at this year’s festival here









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