In 2025, science fiction comes to terms with a present in which advances in artificial intelligence open up horizons that seemed pure imagination just a few years ago. Yet, alongside robots and algorithms, another dimension of the future continues to exist: one that is built on imagination, invention and play. As Gianni Rodari wrote, “What lies at the end of time? A house to live in, or just to dream about?”.
It is this open question, in which desire and vision are intertwined, that perhaps represents the deepest heart of science fiction: a genre that tells not only what will be, but what we might want to be. A sort of collective laboratory of ideas, freedom and possible futures. Our Education Programme aims to be just that, a space where children and families can imagine and build together that house in time, made of stories, visions and inventions, intertwining advancies in science with the charm of stories that help us see further ahead. It is the result of solid planning by La Cappella Underground and lives on in schools and in the city in constant dialogue with other local organisations, both established ones that have been close to us for many years, such as Immaginario Scientifico and INAF (both of which will organise activities and guided tours to follow… with your head in the clouds), and the new and exciting adventures that await us with the animated reading workshops organised by Associazione Bullerby and the creativity lesson with modelling clay offered by the Little Beetle workshop. New to the programme are the book presentations in collaboration with the Municipality of Trieste (Department of Schools, Education, Cultural and Sports Tourism Promotion, School Education and Libraries) in the children areas of the Quarantotti Gambini, Stelio Mattioni and Marinelli libraries. Here, Erica Barbiani with Thea and Dr Loss’s Ageing Machine and Giovanni Covone with Aliens and Life in Space will help young audiences explore the world of fantasy through words. Finally, the matinees dedicated to primary and secondary schools are back in the renovated Cinema Ariston with the films Zathura: A Space Adventure (with insights from INAF) and Orwell: 2+2=5 (with commentary by Stefano Tieri) and meetings with industry professionals dedicated to film students from all over Europe.
All the events are linked on the italian page.
