European Researchers' Night 2017: discover science while having fun

European Researchers’ Night 2017 invites you to meet the people of science, who not only sit behind lecterns, but every day create an incredible universe that changes our lives. Come with your family or friends, with a school group or on your own. Become a scientist for a day… or night. Learn something valuable while having fun!

European Researchers’ Night in Bulgaria is part of the global programme of European Researchers’ Night 2017 and takes place simultaneously on Friday, 29 September, in over 250 cities in Europe and around the world. This year 11 Bulgarian cities will take part in the initiative, but only in Sofia, Plovdiv and Varna will meetings and seminars be held to introduce curious visitors to the world of agricultural science.

The Bulgarian programme is united by the project „FRESH“, whose main objective is to improve public understanding of science and to increase the engagement of the scientific community with societal issues.

European Researchers’ Night at Maritsa Vegetable Crops Research Institute, 29 September 2017, 32 Brezovsko Shose Str., Plovdiv

At the Institute you will be given a detailed presentation about the Nightshade family (Solanaceae), its richness and diversity in the territory of Bulgaria.

The Nightshade family (Solanaceae) includes economically important species used for food (tomato, potato, pepper and eggplant), for medicinal purposes (deadly nightshade, thorn apple, henbane), as well as species grown for ornamental purposes (petunias, physalis).

In fact, tomatoes, potatoes and peppers are a wonderful gift from the Maya and the Inca, cultivated in the region of Central and South America. All three crops are characterised by an incredible diversity of forms and colours and, above all, by exceptional nutritional qualities. Come and taste the varietal diversity of the Maritsa Vegetable Crops Research Institute, Plovdiv.

FRESH Café – programme

18:00 to 19:00 in the conference hall of the Maritsa Vegetable Crops Research Institute

The FRESH Café is the place where you can learn many more interesting details and facts about the rich and diverse vegetable family. Short presentations by leading scientists from 18:00 to 19:00 in the conference hall of the Maritsa Vegetable Crops Research Institute will acquaint you closely with the essence of their work and will demonstrate various tomato, pepper and potato varieties developed at the Institute.

19:00 to 19:30 in the conference hall of the Maritsa Vegetable Crops Research Institute

Meeting with European Commission scholarship holders – discussion on the topic: „How I won a scholarship and how it enhanced my professional experience”.

19:30 to 20:30 in the conference hall of the Maritsa Vegetable Crops Research Institute

Audience participation in a quiz, completion of questionnaires, tasting of vegetables – varieties of the Maritsa Vegetable Crops Research Institute, and others.

Exhibition of representatives of the Nightshade family

20:30 to 21:30 in the agrochemistry laboratory of the Maritsa Vegetable Crops Research Institute

Chemical experiments and a children’s drawing competition.

Creation of a European Corner;

Closing of the event – 22:00

European Researchers’ Night at the AgroBioInstitute, 29 September 2017, 8 Dragan Tsankov Blvd., Sofia

17:00-22:00: FRESH Laboratory: plants – diversity and use.

On 29 September from 17:00 to 22:00, scientists from the AgroBioInstitute and their colleagues from the Agricultural Academy (Institute of Cryobiology and Food Technologies, Institute of Ornamental Plants) and lecturers and students from the Faculty of Biology of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” will present a series of interesting events, including presentations of plants and pathogens, experimental setups, useful plant products for human health, a flower exhibition, an art studio, a workshop for planting germinated seeds of various plants in soil, and a quiz on plants.

European Researchers’ Night in Varna, Festival and Congress Centre, Varna, 2 Slivnitsa Blvd.

17:00-22:00  Science in the City FRESH: Thematic stands at the Festival and Congress Centre Varna

Scientists from the University Botanical Gardens of Sofia University „St. Kliment Ohridski” – Varna, Sofia and Balchik will present their activities and scientific research related to botany, park management and landscape architecture.