Advanced Search

Share Coverage



Category: Science and Technology / Carnivals and Festivals / Tourism

'Innovative' festival brings science lovers to town

Saturday, 12 Mar 2016 13:56:40

Families and science-lovers alike packed into Brisbane's South Bank. (ABC News: Megan Mackander)

The World Science Festival is fulfilling expectations by bringing both national and international science lovers to its new home, Brisbane.

The festival secured some of the best scientific minds from across the globe, featuring more than 100 speakers from nine different countries.

Queensland Tourism and Major Events Minister Kate Jones said hosting the only World Science Festival in the Southern Hemisphere was a significant tourism coup for the state.

"Exclusive events such as this are a real drawcard for visitors with the 2016 World Science Festival Brisbane expected to attract more than 27,000 direct visitor nights and contribute significantly to Queensland's economy," Ms Jones said.

"Hosting this festival reinforces our reputation as a premier event destination, which helps tourism grow and means more jobs for Queenslanders."

Mary Ann Brifman Photo: Mary Anne Brifman says she has "the passion of Einstein" when it comes to science. (Supplied: Toby Crocker)

The World Science Festival started in New York in 2008 and this is the first time the event has been held anywhere other than New York City.

Festival-goer Mary Anne Brifman and her stepson Daniel travelled especially from Sydney to attend the inaugural Brisbane event.

"We're very passionate about science, we love it and it all fits, everything integrates, everything links and it's just fascinating," Ms Brifman said.

"I don't usually fly across the country to attend events — it [an event] has to really touch my heart to motivate me."

Ms Brifman said she was curious about scientific explanations behind her purpose on the planet.

"I'm into divine science, which tries to find an explanation for the purpose of living, as Brian Greene addressed during his opening night production of Light Falls," she said, referring to the American theoretical physicist's celebration of Einstein's theory of relativity.

"I was so excited for the next events after seeing Light Falls that I couldn't go to sleep until 5:00am.

"I can't believe how Brisbane has got such an innovative state-of-the-art program happening here.

"I will be attending as many events as possible throughout the festival."

Ms Brifman was impressed by the inaugural Brisbane event and believed it could only grow in the future.

"It's in its infancy here, but I think next year there will be a lot of buzz off the back of this year."

World Science Day festival crowds pack Southbank Photo: Brisbane put on a sunny day as visitors flocked to South Bank for the World Science Festival. (ABC News: Megan Mackander)

AustraliaPlus


 

Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.

沪公网安备 31010602000204号

Email this to your friend