Arrival

Humankind sends signals to space in the hope of getting an answer. In 1974, SETI (a common name for projects and activities on the search for extraterrestrial civilizations) even sent a radio signal from the Arecibo Observatory (Puerto Rico) with the information on atomic numbers, mankind, the composition of our DNA, and the Solar System. Until now, there has been no answer. And imagine that today we have received a signal in response. Therefore, there is someone out there. So, what are we going to tell them about ourselves?

Since the dawn of time, humankind has been driven by curiosity, and it is what has led us to where we are now.

As part of the Book Arsenal Festival, we will hold a conversation between scientists (a physicist, biologist, chemist, and an ecologist) and the new arrival. What do we have in common with Others? We all made up of stardust, the evolution underlies complex shapes… what else?

Let’s imagine that our signal has already been received and try to understand how Others will regard the achievements of humankind. Moreover, we will show how we regard these achievements today during a special performance. What if we would like to send something else to the infinite space: in order to extend our history or to change it with our mistakes?

We will definitely tell about our success story, the story of knowing ourselves, which is still ongoing. That’s why, within the scientific program, a number of popular science books will be presented, which tell about the world we live in: from time and space to birds and insects existing on Earth. Scientists, science communicators and writers will discuss the current issues of everyday life.

Kunsht is a Ukrainian popular science magazine and a platform for the popularization of science in Ukraine, which tells us about what scientists know about the Universe and where their search is conducted. It aims at cultivating the scientific worldview, promoting constant self-education, and forming a community that popularizes science.