The STARMUS International Festival
STARMUS EARTH VII, 2024
The 2024 STARMUS EARTH festival is set to be held in Bratislava, Slovakia, from May 12 to 17 with a forward-looking theme "The Future Of Our Home Planet." This edition promises to further the legacy of STARMUS, inspiring new generations to look upward and beyond. STARMUS VII will feature Jane Goodall, and music legends The Offspring, Brian May of Queen, and Jean-Michel Jarre. Explore Scientific's Scott Roberts was honored to arrange technical support of the star party and to introduce SETI Astronomer Dr. Franck Marchis with Unistellar, and Explore Scientific's Representative, Vachik Khachatryan to lead the STARMUS Star Party at the 15th century Devin Castle and at STARMUS Camp in Bratislava.
The STARMUS International Festival is an enchanting convergence of astronomy, space exploration, music, art, and the natural sciences. Founded by the eclectic duo of astronomer and amateur musician Garik Israelian and musician and astrophysicist Brian May, this unique festival blends the intellectual thrill of scientific discovery with the creative pulse of the arts. Since its inception, it has attracted luminaries from across the sciences and arts, including world-renowned astronauts and astronomers. Explore Scientific and the Explore Alliance is one of the official star party coordinators of the event, coordinating the STARMUS VI star party and the STARMUS VII star party.
Sonic Universe Concerts
An integral part of STARMUS, the Sonic Universe Concerts merge the realms of music and space, capturing the thematic essence of each festival edition. From live performances recorded for historic releases to engaging musical acts that complement the scientific discussions, these concerts are a cornerstone of the STARMUS experience.
STARMUS continues to be a beacon for those fascinated by the vastness of space and the intricacies of our natural world, effectively bridging the gap between the scientific community and the general public through a celebration of knowledge and creativity.
Past STARMUS Events
The Inaugural Festival: STARMUS I, 2011
STARMUS I marked its grand debut from June 20 to 25, 2011, on the picturesque Canary Islands of Tenerife and La Palma. Themed "50 Years of Man in Space," this festival celebrated the monumental advancements in space exploration. A pivotal moment was the release of the book "STARMUS: 50 Years of Man in Space" in 2014, documenting the festival's highlights and insights.
Expanding Horizons: STARMUS II, 2014
The second iteration of the festival took place from September 22 to 27, 2014, again on Tenerife and La Palma. Dubbed "Beginnings: The Making of the Modern Cosmos," it underscored the festival's growing influence, reportedly reaching 2.4 billion people worldwide. This edition showcased the immense impact STARMUS was beginning to have on public engagement with science.
Tribute to a Legend: STARMUS III, 2016
The 2016 STARMUS festival was not only a tribute to the legendary Stephen Hawking but also a platform for profound scientific dialogue. Held from June 27 to July 2 on the Canary Islands, "Beyond The Horizon: A Tribute To Stephen Hawking" featured discussions from prominent figures like Brian Cox and Richard Dawkins, alongside 11 Nobel laureates. The festival also introduced the Stephen Hawking Medal for Science Communication, celebrating outstanding contributions to public understanding of science.
Life and the Universe: STARMUS IV, 2017
Moving to Trondheim, Norway, in 2017, STARMUS IV explored the theme "Life and the Universe," engaging a broad array of Nobel Prize laureates and experts from diverse fields. This edition continued to honor excellence in science communication, with awards going to figures like Neil deGrasse Tyson and Jean-Michel Jarre.
A Giant Leap: STARMUS V, 2019
In 2019, Zurich hosted the festival, aligning with the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. The theme "A Giant Leap" was a fitting tribute to this historic event, and the festival honored individuals like Elon Musk and Buzz Aldrin for their contributions to space exploration and science communication.
Exploring Mars: STARMUS VI, 2022
Held in Yerevan, Armenia, from September 5 to 11, 2022, celebrated "50 Years on Mars." The festival featured a rich lineup of discussions, concerts, and a special screening of the documentary "Space Inside," exploring the life of cosmonaut Alexei Leonov. Explore Scientific was there to orchestrate the STARMUS Star Party at the temple of Garni and at STARMUS Camp.