By Andrea Hargraves 
The event is called UNIGHT – Night of European Researchers and it takes place on September 30 (Friday), in several places in Covilha. Activities take place simultaneously in European cities in Spain, France, Italy and Romania, in areas covered by partner universities, reinforcing the importance of science for thousands of people.
The initiative includes the ‘UNITA Junior Academy – Children at the University’, which includes students from schools in three parishes in Covilha, and activities open to the public, such as the ‘Investigation Marathon’, a walk through science and urban art in a mountain town, tastings of regional produce and many opportunities for dialogue with researchers.
The “investigation marathon” begins at 17:00, in the Covilha Public Garden, and lasts for two hours, with the participation of 12 researchers. Each participant will give speeches of approximately 15 minutes to present a research topic, with fake news, stereotypes, or myths in science as a starting point.
The marathon themes are the five missions of Horizon Europe: adapting to climate change; cancer; healthy oceans, coastal areas and waterways; Smart, climate-neutral cities, healthy soil and food. The three pillars of UNITA are also part of the focus areas: renewable energies; Circular Economy and Cultural Heritage.
At 9:00 pm, the Urban Science and Arts Walk begins, with the meeting point at Largo da Infantaria 21, next to the public park. The route will pass through the various murals in the historic center of Covilha. In each work, there will be a scientist from different research groups who will tackle a topic for 57 seconds.
Arrival is scheduled for 22:00, at the headquarters of the UBI Academic Society, where wine and cheese tastings from the region will be held, along with another opportunity to speak with researchers.
UNIGHT – European Researchers’ Night is a European project promoted by UNITA partners, which aims to establish local and international events for the dissemination of science and research, involving remote areas such as rural and cross-border mountain regions.