Programme

Check the events in English, French, Spanish and Chinese in chronological order here or browse by title in the Events menu.

08 May 2025

AI – Pick Two: Fast, Cheap, or Good?

live online
8 May, 6:30 pm, COSMOS Hall, 8 – 12 class, adults

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is poised to transform nearly every aspect of our society and daily lives. However, assuming artificial intelligence is fast, cheap, *and* good is a mistake that many people make — often hoping for the best of all worlds. Overestimating the capabilities of AI can lead to unintended or harmful outcomes. Short of a dream AI, there are good options and uses for AI technology. We argue that everyone should really think through the implications of these options, their use of AI, and how AI is being used to shape their lives. Join Professor of Robotics and a Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Michigan Chad Jenkins for a discussion on one of the hottest topics in today’s world.

In English with simultaneous interpretation.
In partnership with the Embassy of the US. 

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09 May 2025

Rock Guitar in 11 Dimensions

science show
9 May, 8 pm, COSMOS Hall, 8 – 12 grade, adults 

What causes the revolutionary, history-changing sound of rock guitar and how does it relate to the entire universe? Join physicist Mark Lewney to enjoy expert musicianship and mind-expanding physics colliding in this introduction to the science of sound and quantum physics.

In English
Dedicated to the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology 2025
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10 May 2025

CrowdScience: the science of food

radio show recording with live audience
10 May, 12 am, ENERGY Hall, 8 – 12 grade, adults

The BBC World Service radio show CrowdScience takes listeners’ questions about life, Earth and the universe to researchers who are hunting for answers at the frontiers of knowledge.

Inspired by the famous Bulgarian yogurt, hosts Caroline Steel and Marnie Chesterton will be immersing themselves in local food cultures with the help of a panel of Sofia Science Festival experts.

Are the ‘live’ cultures in fermented foods actually alive by the time you eat them, and how can you tell? If you can eat the mould in blue cheese, why can’t you eat other cheese when it’s mouldy? And if you put a drop of vanilla into a litre of milk, how come it all tastes of vanilla?

If you have any questions about the science of food, email crowdscience@bbc.co.uk and we’ll do our best to answer them!

In English with simultaneous translation into Bulgarian.

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10 May 2025

The Evidence: Can we beat the heat?

radioshow with live audience
10 May, 1:30 to 3:00 pm, ENERGY Hall, 8 – 12 grade, adults
Broadcast on the BBC World Service, The Evidence is the programme taking a deep dive into the most pressing global issues affecting our health. In this live recording of the programme, host Claudia Hammond will speak to a panel of experts about why heat has become such a deadly problem around the world, and what we can do about it. How well prepared are we for rising temperatures? Who is most vulnerable? And how do we protect ourselves as the world gets ever-hotter? This programme will be recorded live for radio, with the audience playing an active role in the show. We will take your questions, get your opinions, and possibly throw in a quiz or two. Come along to see how a radio show is recorded, and to learn a little bit more about the increasingly important issue of how heat affects our health.
Do you want to ask the panel a question before the festival? Write to HealthCheck@bbc.co.uk 
In English with simultaneous translation
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10 May 2025

Les forces naturelles inconnues : sciences et merveilleux dans la littérature de science-fiction du début du XXe siècle

presentation
10 May, 16:00, COSMOS Hall, 8 – 12 grade, adults
(scroll down for English)
Connaissez-vous Maurice Renard, Gustave Le Rouge et Jean de La Hire ? Ces romanciers populaires du début du XXe siècle sont les auteurs de romans merveilleux-scientifiques, un mouvement littéraire ancêtre de la science-fiction, qui s’inspire des sciences et pseudo-sciences contemporaines. Lecture des pensées, homme invisible, pesée de l’âme, création d’êtres artificiels sont quelques-uns de ses thèmes favoris. Loin de participer d’une forme de désenchantement, les nombreuses découvertes scientifiques et techniques faites au même moment, de la radiographie, à la radioactivité, en passant par la cinématographie, nourrissent le champ des possibles. Et pour cause, les romanciers en sont persuadés, plus la science grossit, plus elle trouvera des explications rationnelles à des phénomènes considérés comme surnaturels. Effeuillant certains de ses récits et ses illustrations foisonnantes, cette conférence entend vous familiariser avec ce moment si particulier de l’histoire des idées, où sciences, pseudo-sciences et croyances sont indissociables.

En français. Interprétariat en bulgare.
En partenariat avec l’Institut français de Bulgarie

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Unknown Natural Forces: Science and the Marvelous in Early 20th Century Science Fiction Literature
Do you know Maurice Renard, Gustave Le Rouge and Jean de La Hire? These popular novelists of the early 20th century were the authors of marvelous scientific novels, a literary movement that was the forerunner of science fiction, inspired by contemporary science and pseudo-science. Mind-reading, the invisible man, soul weighing and the creation of artificial beings were some of their favourite themes. Far from contributing to a form of disenchantment, the many scientific and technical discoveries being made at the same time, from radiography to radioactivity to cinematography, are fuelling the field of the possible. And for good reason, as novelists are convinced, the more science develops, the more it will find rational explanations for phenomena considered to be supernatural. In this conference, we’ll take a look at some of these stories and their abundant illustrations to familiarise you with this very special moment in the history of ideas, when science, pseudo-science and belief are inextricably linked.
In French.
In partnership with Institut français in Bulgaria
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10 May 2025

From Myth to Reality: China’s 20-Year Wonderful Journey into Deep Space Exploration

presentation
10 May, 17:30; COSMOS Hall, 8 – 12 grade, adults
For thousands of years the Chinese people – and millions across the world – have gazed at the sky with wonder, inspired by ancient myths and legends. Tales such as Chang’e flight to the moon, Kuafu chasing the sun, Zhurong mastering fire, and Nüwa mending the heavens reflect a deep cultural fascination with the cosmos. In the past two decades, China has transformed these dreams into reality through remarkable achievements in space exploration.
The Chang’e lunar missions, named after the moon goddess, mark major milestones. Chang’e 1 and 2 orbited and mapped the moon, laying the foundation for future missions. Chang’e 3 achieved a successful soft landing and deployed the Yutu rover. Chang’e 4 made history in 2019 as the first mission to land on the far side of the moon. Chang’e 5 brought back lunar samples in 2020, and in 2024, Chang’e 6 successfully returned with samples from the moon’s mysterious far side.
Beyond the moon, China reached for Mars. The Tianwen-1 mission, echoing the poetic phrase “Questions to Heaven,” orbited, landed, and deployed the Zhurong rover on Mars, making China the first nation to achieve this feat in a single mission. These missions combine ancient cultural symbols with cutting-edge science, turning legends into landmarks of human achievement.
By sharing this story with Bulgarian audiences, we hope to ignite young people’s curiosity and passion for space. This journey from myth to reality is not just China’s alone — it is a shared human endeavor to explore the unknown. Join Eric Zhang to deepen your understanding and perhaps you might even become part of the new generation to reach for the stars, just as our ancestors once dreamed!
In English with simultaneous translation into Bulgarian
In partnership with the Embassy of China
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10 May 2025

The Future Ain’t What It Used To Be

presentation
10 May, 8:30 pm, COSMOS Hall, 8 – 12 grade, adults

What happened to all the futuristic predictions of decades ago? Why aren’t astrologers rich? What actually IS time when you really think about it? Join Dr Mark Lewney in this journey into the history of the future and the future of history.

Image: generated by ChatGPT

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11 May 2025

The Strange Story of Lydia Fairchild

presentation
11 May, 12:00 am, ENERGY Hall, 8 – 12 grade, adults
What would you do if a DNA test claimed your children weren’t biologically yours? Can science ever be wrong? And how far would you go to prove your own identity? In this talk, geneticist Myrtani Pieri from Cyprus unpacks a true story that shook the foundations of genetic science and the legal system—the case of Lydia Fairchild, a woman who faced losing everything due to the results of a test meant to reveal the truth. Through this real-life mystery, Myrtani reminds us that there are still hidden complexities within our own biology—and that it’s essential to stay curious, search deeply, and keep an open mind.

Dedicated to the 40th anniversary since DNA analysis was first used in forensic science.

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11 May 2025

Qu’en est-il des Thraces ? Recherches actuelles et futures sur la Thrace antique

presentation
11 May, 13:00, COSMOS Hall, 8 – 12 grade, adults
(for English, scroll down)
Bien qu’ils soient connus grâce à d’extraordinaires découvertes archéologiques qui font régulièrement le tour du monde, les Thraces restent l’un des peuples les moins bien compris de l’Antiquité. Cet exposé explore la manière dont les chercheurs s’appuient sur l’histoire et l’archéologie pour dépasser les stéréotypes et reconstruire les réalités culturelles et politiques de la Thrace antique. Un voyage à travers les mythes, les pièces de monnaie et les paysages oubliés.

En français. Interprétariat en bulgare.
En partenariat avec l’Institut français de Bulgarie

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What’s Up with the Thracians? Current and Future Research on Ancient Thrace
Although known through extraordinary archaeological discoveries that regularly travel the world, the Thracians remain one of the least understood peoples of Antiquity. This talk explores how scholars draw on history and archaeology to move beyond stereotypes and reconstruct the cultural and political realities of Ancient Thrace. A journey through myths, coins, and forgotten landscapes.
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11 May 2025

Me, myself and AI: How to make a new version of yourself (or not!)

presentation
11 May, 13:30, ENERGY Hall, 8 – 12 grade, adults
Tired of being yourself? Let Greek researcher Kostas Karpouzis and AI help; or at least try. In this talk, we explore how artificial intelligence can be your life coach, creative partner, or productivity guru, offering tools to improve how you work, think, and live. But what happens when the line between assistance and identity starts to blur? From digital doubles and algorithmic advice to the creeping suspicion that your AI knows you a little too well, this is a guided tour of the promises and perils of outsourcing parts of yourself to machines.
Marking 20 years since the first Youtube video
In English with simultaneous translation into Bulgarian
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