AHHAA Science Centre has been setting up cafés together with British Council Estonia since 2004. We are organizing cafes in Tallinn and in Tartu, the two biggest cities in Estonia. But in autumn we do have some extra cafés around the country during science festival.
The objective of Café Scientifique in Estonia is to create public debates and to inform people about hot science subjects. We hope to give different perspectives on science subjects and to invalidate common misunderstandings. It is important to us that everyone participating in the Café is free to ask questions and express their opinion. It is equally important that people are keeping on talking about the subjects after the café together with their friends and families.
Café Scientifique events are held at local pubs, which provide an informal and intimate venue, thus stimulating spontaneous dialogue between experts and the audience in a cosy atmosphere. The entrance is free.
Through time the most successful subjects have been connected to health issues. We have been inviting scientists from United Kingdom to lecture in our cafes. British Council has provided its help in organizing those events. Although many of the cafes are held in English they have been full of interested audience.
A successful Café Scientifique is important in engaging public to science.

Pilvi Põldmaa (29 May 2007)
Organizer of the Café Scientifique in Estonia