The INAF Trieste Astronomical Observatory is organizing a program of events for summer 2025: three evenings of movies, music, and outdoor performances, plus a day of solar observation—all free of charge—at the Basovizza observatory on June 11, June 21, July 17, and September 3.
Three evenings of movies, music, science, and telescope observations, thanks to the long-standing collaboration with La Cappella Underground and the festival’s many years of participation in the Trieste Science+Fiction Festival. Starting with the 2023 edition, INAF has in fact established the Event Horizon Award, which honors the film that has managed to “break free from the clichés that associate scientific discovery with a dystopian future, addressing futuristic challenges without a blind and uncritical faith in progress, but also without prejudice.”
Given the jury’s enthusiasm and the success the festival enjoys every year at the Trieste Science+Fiction Festival, INAF has decided to present some of the most significant films to the public once again, pairing them with in-depth scientific discussions led by the organization’s researchers. It will be an opportunity to explore the major current issues addressed in science fiction films.
Wednesday, June 11, at 9:00 p.m., “U Are the Universe”, the winning film at the 2024 Trieste Science+Fiction Festival, will be screened. Directed by Ukrainian filmmaker Pavlo Ostrikov, the film tells the surreal and touching story of Andriy Melnyk, a space truck driver transporting nuclear waste to Callisto, one of Jupiter’s moons. When Earth suddenly explodes, Andriy finds himself alone in the cosmos… until he picks up a signal from Catherine, a French meteorologist who has survived on a remote station. Amid isolation, hope, and a longing for connection, an emotional journey takes shape—blending irony and poetry—against the backdrop of an empty, silent universe. U Are the Universe will be screened in the original language (Ukrainian) with Italian subtitles. An unmissable opportunity to discover a science fiction story that speaks to the heart, skillfully blending lightheartedness, reflection, and cinematic vision.
On Saturday, June 21, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., we will hold a day dedicated to observing the Sun in celebration of the summer solstice, featuring a tour of the historical and educational multimedia exhibit, followed by observation of the Sun (sunspots and prominences) through a telescope. The event is free, but reservations are required.
On Thursday, July 17, at 9:00 p.m. , in the evocative setting of the Specola Margherita Hack, there will be a special evening combining music and science, emotion and wonder, in an event sure to enchant enthusiasts of all ages. The stars of the show are Pinkakustik, a Pink Floyd tribute band, who will present their show “Pink Floyd doculive”: a rendition of Pink Floyd’s iconic songs accompanied by narration of the stories behind the albums from which they are taken, all supported by videos and visual effects played during the performances. A highly faithful rendition of Pink Floyd’s most famous songs. Pinkakustik uses state-of-the-art equipment, allowing them to achieve unparalleled clarity and sound quality. The show follows a “doculive” format, where the musicians recount stories related to Pink Floyd and perform their songs in chronological order.
On Wednesday, September 3, at 9:00 p.m., it’s time for “From Earth to Space: Sci-Fi vs. Reality”, a fascinating journey through the wonders of science fiction and the solid foundations—or wild fantasies—of real science. Space exploration, in addition to being an inexhaustible source of inspiration for science fiction, represents one of the most fascinating frontiers of science and technology. Science fiction movies and TV series are full of examples of interplanetary travel. Many are the product of imagination and, perhaps, unfeasible, but there is no shortage of realistic applications of concepts from space physics. Classic series like *Star Trek*, or more modern ones like *The Expanse*, have inspired generations to dream of worlds beyond our planet, creating a narrative universe that is highly credible from a scientific and technological standpoint. Other works, while taking some creative liberties, have imagined iconic narrative universes that push us to dream beyond the boundaries of what is possible. In both cases, fantasy and science seem to chase each other, each inspiring the other to raise the bar ever higher. Today, space is no longer inaccessible, but why is piloting a spaceship different from how we see it in *Star Wars*? And how close are we to creating colonies like those in *Moon* or *The Martian*? Let’s find out together on a journey that blurs the lines between science fiction and reality.
Admission to all events is free.
The three evenings—June 11, July 17, and September 3—will conclude with a visit to the Margherita Hack Observatory, where the public will have the opportunity to tour the historical exhibition and digital installations and observe the sky through a telescope. The performances will take place outdoors in front of the Margherita Hack Observatory; seating is available while supplies last, and afterward, attendees can relax on the lawn within the grounds. ALÉ POGi – Street Fast Food Truck will be on site, serving food and drinks.
