"Research is more than the proverbial test tubes. Researchers’ Night on the 25th September 2009 in Malta’s Capital city, Valletta, will show you why! The main objective of R-City is to give a face and voice to our researchers and the opportunity to show that they are like the rest of us, while in a festive atmosphere. Here public and researcher can socialise on common turf. In so doing, the public will gain information about research careers and the importance of research in today’s societies. The fact that this event will be linked to others all over Europe will add tremendous weight to the importance of these careers. The EU-wide activities will help highlight the importance Europe places on research activity. The public needs to know that their children have a future in science and our youngsters need to feel that there are lucrative opportunities to be had. both in Malta and the rest of the EU. Visitors will experience the notion that researchers in actual fact live next door and that they enjoy sharing their views while having a good time. Citizens of all ages and backgrounds will be attracted by the multidisciplinary and varied programme combining both scientific and festive activities. The activities will guarantee fun and the visitors will surely learn, through their interaction with researchers about the passion they harbour for research and that it is not detrimental to other dreams! We also hope that our researchers will learn something in return, i.e. the importance of communicating their work to the people who are not involved in their daily grind or subscribers to scientific journal. Activities: - Science Cafes, interactive exchanges between the two parties - Live televised concert where researchers with musical talents will accompany our national stars on stage - Interactive science activities for children and parents - Competitions - An exhibition of the best designs submitted for the poster competition - European area at City Gate"