BLOOM

Bloom brings science and ideas out of the laboratories and auditoriums and help us reflect on the world, the universe, and ourselves.

Under the swaying treetops of historical park Søndermarken, Bloom presents some of today’s most recognized scientists, researchers, philosophers, and artists. Explore talks, walks, music and art while casting a curious gaze at the mysteries and wonders of nature.

Bloom takes place in Søndermarken in Copenhagen on 24–26 May 2024 and is free for everyone to attend.

Dive into our English program below.

SATURDAY

TALKS

12.30–13.15
Colonial Botany / Martha Ann Fleming, Casper Andersen, Jens Soelberg & Emmy Laura / Symposium / Spring

The Natural History Museum of Denmark holds botanical findings from around the world. But what stories of nature and colonialist expeditions does this plant collection tell? Three researchers shed new light on the colonial history of botany.

13.30–14.15
What is Love? / Lisa Feldman Barrett & Cat Bohannon / Mastermind / Summer

What happens in our brains when we are in love? And is there an evolutionary reason behind love blindness? Two of this year's keynote speakers try to make sense of the essence of love.

15.15–16.00
The Origin of Life / Nick Lane / Mastermind / Summer

How did life arise from inorganic molecules? The British biochemist Nick Lane dives deep into the history of evolution and into the human body to find answers to one of biology's greatest mysteries.

15.45–16.30
Microbe Music / Signe Lykke, Tom Gilbert & Victor Boy Lindholm / Live Artistic Research / Under the Oak

Can the DNA of a gut bacterium turn into classical music? Composer Signe Lykke has, in collaboration with leading microbiologists, created four unique compositions to be performed spontaneously by the string quartet NOVO Quartet throughout Bloom.

16.40–17.30
The Microbes Among Us / Rob Dunn / Mastermind / Summer

The American biologist Rob Dunn wants to challenge our microbe-blindness. With his original research experiments, he has found evidence that everywhere – from our navels and the walls of our homes to wild nature – there are microorganisms that are better to cooperate with than to kill.

17.30–18.15
Beer / Sotirios Kampranis, Christina Chatzinikolaou & Bodil Sofie Espersen / A Taste of... / Sprout (limited capacity)

Malt, hops, yeast, and water. How do you experiment with the taste of one of the world's oldest beverages? And how do you brew beer for a spring festival? Join a brewmaster and a plant biochemist, when they unfold the science behind the bitter and aromatic drops.

20.00–21.00
The Power of Seeds / Vandana Shiva / Mastermind / Summer

The fight against climate change must be fought with quantum philosophy and plant seeds. Indian science activist Vandana Shiva, often referred to as the Gandhi of the grain, unfolds the power of plant seeds.

MUSIC

14.20–15.00
Astrid Sonne / Concert / Under the Oak

With an authentic voice and innovative compositional strength, Astrid Sonne opens new sonic spaces in the intersection of classical and electronic music.

19.10–19.55
Helena Gao / Concert / Under the Oak

Helena Gao invites you into her experimental pop universe as she kicks off Saturday night's program with razor-sharp vocals and self-ironic playfulness.

22.00–22.50
Kind mod Kind / Concert / Under the Oak

When darkness descends over Søndermarken, Kind mod Kind presents a cocktail of vulnerable pop and uninhibited club vibes.

22.50–00.00
Enterthevoigt / DJ / Under the Oak

With creative and challenging DJ sets, Enterthevoigt captivates dancers and curious minds in a web of funk, soul, disco, and house.

ART

During the entire festival you can experience unique artworks, installations, and performances that bridge science and art.

Vortex / AVPD / Installation

Inspired by the maelstrom, the tornado, and the spiral arms of galaxies, artist duo AVPD has developed a sense-shifting installation artwork in the heart of the festival site, which both frames and challenges the sensation of the classic festival space.

Bruddet / Motherboard / Installation

A 5-meter-high installation 'Bruddet’ (The Breach) sets the stage for the interdisciplinary community Motherboards' interpretation of modern opera at this year's Bloom.

Kun stemmen bliver tilbage / Motherboard / Performance

The second part of an interdisciplinary opera trilogy stages the human voice at Bloom 2024 in three artistic formats surrounding the installation 'Bruddet' (The Breach).

Matters of Time / Honey Biba Beckerlee / Installation

Time is relative, fluid, and invisible. Yet it can be measured incredibly precisely. This year at Bloom 2024, artist Honey Biba Beckerlee has created a time-exploring installation inspired by the ultra-accurate atomic clocks.

Cocktail Printer / Svend Sømod / Interactive installation

At this year's festival, you'll find the interactive installation 'Cocktail Printer' by artist Svend Sømod – a transparent bar cabinet with over 30 different types of spirits, liqueurs, and syrups that makes algorithm-programmed cocktails on demand.

Microbe Music / Signe Lykke / Performance

What do music and microbes have in common? Inspired by meetings with evolutionary biologist Tom Gilbert, composer Signe Lykke has written four musical interpretations of our symbiosis with microbes.

Ven / Simon Hjermind Jensen / Installation

Artist Simon Hjermind Jensen's 'Ven’ (Friend) is inspired by the trees of Søndermarken. The figure's light and airy character creates a sympathetic presence and playfully poses the question: How do we cultivate a friendly relationship with nature?