In its sixth edition, the event returns to Gonzagas from September 30 to October 2 with workshops, meetings, performances and guided tours. Central to the concept of “reflections” is that everything maps to its surroundings: how do food and economic processes affect each other? What is the impact of climate change and global migrations on agriculture, livestock and cooking?
How many ways can we talk about food and science? Sixth edition of Food and Science Festival – IMAGINED FRAME – Scientific Digressions, Promoted by Confagricoltura Mantova and Organized by Mantova Agricola – Returning to Mantova from 30 September to 2 October for three days of meetings, workshops, performances and guided tours of the historic places of Lombard, from Piazza Mantegna in the Bibina Theatre. The concept behind this version is that of the “reflections” that everything brings to its surroundings: the connections, interferences, connections, and distortions that arise behind seemingly distant but in fact deeply connected themes. And so: How do food and economic processes affect each other? What is the impact of climate change and global migrations on agriculture, livestock and cooking? What opportunities can technology provide for the food sector?
The festival’s multidisciplinary approach
The multidisciplinary approach of the Mantua Festival of Food and Science is reflected in the kindergarten of the personalities invited to intervene and present their own point of view on the topic of this edition, thanks to the experience gained in the many sectors subject to the analysis of the Festival. Among the participants are numerous advocates from the academic and institutional world such as Anne Sverdrup-Thygeson, Professor at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Director of the Center for Research in Genomics and Bioinformatics (CREA) Luigi Catifelli, Director of the European Observatory for Sustainable Development of Agriculture Ettore Capri, Full Professor of Agricultural Policy International and Comparative University of Bologna, Andrea Segre, Professor Emeritus of Plant Biology Paola Bonfant, pioneer of studies on the relationships between plants and microorganisms, and science journalists Piero Bianucci, Marco Ferrari, Fabio Pagan and Roberta Villa. Not only that, at the festival there will also be those who have built a career with food and an interest in research and training, such as three-star Michelin chef Nico Romito, and those who have instead focused on scientific publishing, such as Dario Bressanini, the “friendly living chemist” of Among the most beloved faces of the festival.
installation
By tradition, the three-day Mantua event is officially open from opening on Friday, scheduled for 5 p.m. at the Bibbena Science Theatre. After the institutional greetings of President of Confagricoltura Mantova Alberto Cortesi and Mayor of Mantua Mattia Palazzi, Sandra Galina, Director General of DG Sante European Commission, Massimiliano Giansante, President of Confagricoltura, Ivano Faccondio, President of Federalimentare and Alberto Maringhi, Vice President of Confindustria will discuss the topic Restarting the country’s production system: where do we start again?followed by Chiara Corbo, Ph.D., Director of the Smart Agrifood Observatory (Politécnico di Milano) and Alessandra Bisci, Director of the Council for Research in Agriculture’s Center for Policy and Bioeconomics (CREA) who explained how Uncertainty managementexplain The scenario of the Italian agricultural and food chain between the energy crisis and digital innovation. At the end of their talk, said Fabio Rolvi, Agriculture, Food and Green Systems Adviser for the Lombardy Region, Massimo Rossini, Vice President of Federchimica Assofertilizzanti and Francesco Fortuna, President of the Council of Ministers, Ministry of Agriculture, Food Policy and Forestry. Conditions for Unlocking Energies and Territory Franchise, while a little later, at 6.35 p.m., the Mantuan Agriculture Prize will be awarded to scientist and Senator for life Elena Cattaneo. In conclusion, the digital interview with Director of the VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology, member of the Scientific Council of ERC and winner of the 2017 World Agriculture Prize Dirk Inzè, who will answer some questions about the role of science in defining policies for more sustainable agriculture.
Mantova Food and Science Festival, an immersive lab experience
The festival also wants it to be an opportunity to experience first-hand what is being shown on a theoretical level at the meetings. Among the many suggested activities, on the first Saturday at 11am you can take part in the guided tour (conducted in collaboration with the Lombardy region) of Libiolette Farm, an organic dairy goat farm with indoor dairy. Those who choose to visit the former church of the Madonna della Vittoria will then find an immersive, multimedia installation on photosynthesis, curated by Vincenzo Guarnieri (FRAME – Divagazioni Scientifiche) and sound and interaction design by Federico Primavera, LUMEN. It will be an opportunity to reflect on the connection between plants, humans and energy, and to enter the facility itself: the public can actually contribute to increasing or decreasing the amount of light that reaches the tree in the center of the installation, and modulating the photosynthesis process that a plant must perceive in order to live.
Many proposals from workshops, to touch reactions Science is in everything that surrounds us, starting at our table. From Friday to Sunday, for example, it will be possible to learn more about the properties and properties of water while having fun, during the workshops Water: What a find! And the Water: the resource of life (Both in collaboration with Tea), leaving perfection around the world Between food and culture (by Esselunga), be surprised by the unusual combination of Grana Padano with ingredients like honey or handcrafted beer (by Consorzio Tutela Grana Padano) and discover how many and how many ways to savor Parmigiano Reggiano, the process that leads “from fodder to cheese” ( by Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese Union). For a special “aperitif”, Syngenta is also scheduled to organize a science happy hour, which will include the audience of Mantua, leading them to discover the different aspects of innovation thanks to the invaluable participation of the champions of research and scientific publishing.
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