Porto takes science to the local bars

Part of a global initiative that seeks to reinvigorate interest in human rationality and achievement but in a fun way

Talking about science with a glass in one’s hand is the premise for the Pint of Science festival, which takes place between 17 and 19 May in the cities of Porto, Aveiro, Braga, Guimarães, Lisbon, Coimbra and Viseu, with Porto being the only city where the sessions will be held in person.

The initiative, which kicks off this Monday, aims to popularize science through informal conversations and, in Portugal’s second-largest city, it will take place in the bars of Catraio, Espiga and Selina. A group of 18 researchers from different areas will talk about their research topics in an accessible way that breaks down barriers and entices curiosity.

If the people do not go to where science is, then science will go to the people

The organizers say that there will be three sessions a day, at 7 pm, 8 pm and 9 pm, linking areas from the exact sciences to the social sciences, based on themes such as "From 8 to 80", "Thinking head", or even "Chatting Camões" (after the Portuguese Renaissance author), among others, with tickets costing 2.50 euros per session. All sessions require prior reservation.

The Pint of Science festival started in 2012, in the United Kingdom and arrived in Portugal (Porto and Lisbon) in 2018. The objective remains to make scientific discussion accessible to the entire population in order to bridge the communication gaps inherent between the wider public and researchers whose work, even if benefiting societies often remains unacknowledged (or even subject to conspiracy theories). In addition to Portugal, the event occurs simultaneously in 29 countries, such as Germany, Brazil, the United States of America, Singapore, Kenya, and New Zealand.