Space for all, among stars and planets the Seriana Valley opens “Infinite Horizons”: a popular festival that addresses the exploration of the cosmos, but also the links with the different generations and the productive context of the V
Everyone in space, because…there is Space for everyone, even in ValSeriana!
It is condensed in an effective play on words the spirit of the third edition, from Friday, May 16 to Sunday, May 18, 2025, of “Infinite Horizons,” the popular festival that addresses the theme related to the exploration of the cosmos, but also and above all its links with the different generations and the productive context of the ValSeriana.
It starts on Friday, May 16 at 9 p.m. at the Loverini Cinema Theater in Gandino with a special guest speaker. Speaking on “Women among the Stars – a history of achievements” will be a true legend of science and space exploration: Amalia Ercoli Finzi. An absolute pioneer and symbol of international excellence, she was the first woman in Italy to graduate in aeronautical engineering as well as among the key minds behind ESA’s Rosetta mission, contributing to the design of the Philae lander drill, the first human instrument to touch a comet. A consultant for NASA, the European and Italian Space Agencies, professor emerita at the Politecnico di Milano, a brilliant popularizer and tireless advocate for women in science, Amalia opened paths that seemed unattainable. “Amalia Ercoli Finzi will dialogue with journalist Eugenio Sorrentino and the audience. With her visionary intelligence and unique charisma,” Bonazzi adds, “she will take us on a journey through the stars and history, proving that the sky is not the limit, but only the beginning.
On Saturday 17 at 9 a.m. at the Lost My Mind by Steven Cavagna space in Gandino is “Corporate Orbits,” a seminar dedicated to companies that want to explore Space-related opportunities. Underlying it are the prospects of S.I.S.E.I, the Seriana Institute for Space Exploration and Innovation, an ambitious territorial transformation project, which aims to make the Seriana Valley a cutting-edge hub, with the support of territorial entities such as Comunità Montana Valle Seriana, Promoserio Industry, Bergamo Province, Gandino Municipality, Consorzio Bim del Serio and Consorzio BIM dell’Oglio.
Among the speakers, moderated by journalist Elvira Conca, will be Franco Ongaro (Chief Space Business Officer at Leonardo), Simonetta Di Pippo (Space Economy expert and lecturer at SDA Bocconi), Giovanna Dossena (professor of Economics and founder of AVM), Marcello Persico (Persico Marine) and Filippo Oggionni (founder of the startup Revolv Space), among others. A meeting is also scheduled on the same morning at the ISISS Valle Seriana in Gazzaniga, to which Paola Zuppella and Alain J.Corso will present the European Solar Orbiter mission.
In the afternoon (2:30 p.m. Gandino Oratory) Zuppella and Corso, CNR researchers, will lead a workshop dedicated to compulsory school children to build a spectroscope, useful for discovering the colors that make up light. Space scientists use similar instruments to study starlight and find out what stars are made of and how far away they are.
Also on Saturday, May 17, in the evening at 8:30 p.m., a field trip is scheduled at the Mount Farno Infopoint with stargazing. Leading the expeience will be Adrian Otondo and Daniele Borsari. The former, of Argentine origin, resides in Casnigo and works in the field of telescopes. The second, from Leffe, was awarded the title of “Astronomy Photografer of the Year” (Young section) in 2024 by the Royal Observatory in Greenwhich.
One last appointment (on the morning of Sunday, May 18) is reserved for professionals. In small groups and thanks to the Speleological Group “Valseriana Talpe,” it will be possible to visit the ancient lignite mine in Casnigo territory. Here a simulation of a Martian base could be realized in the future to experiment with space-related technologies and instrumentation.
All detailed information for individual events (all free of charge), as well as online booking options, is available on the website.