C anada’s Niagara Falls hosted Nikola Tesla Fest, a unique international event that this year commemorated the 170 th anniversary of Tesla’s birth and 130 years since the commissioning of the first hydroelectric power plant at Niagara Falls, which was constructed on the basis of Tesla’s revolutionary patents. Over the course of the three-day festival, thousands of visitors had an opportunity to pay tribute to one of the greatest minds in the history. Providing special symbolism on the day was the fact that Niagara Falls were illuminated in the colours of the Serbian flag, in honour of the great Serb scientist. The festival’s ceremonies were attended by Jim Diodati, mayor of Niagara Falls, alongside representatives of the city administration and assembly, Stefan Tomašević, Serbian ambassador to Canada, and numerous distinguished guests. A rich educational programme was organised on the plateau in front of the Niagara Parks Power Station, which holds a special place in the history of the application of Tesla’s inventions. Visitors of all ages had opportunities to participate in scientific experiments, educational workshops and interactive content that were prepared by the festival’s partners, an important place among which was occupied by Brock University, with its scientific programme. Tesla’s exhibited patents and numerous educational contents familiarised visitors with the world of science, as well as showing how current and inspiring Tesla’s ideas remain to this day.
NIKOLA TESLA FEST AT NIAGARA FALLS REMEMBERING A GENIUS WHO CHANGED THE WORLD A powerful message that Tesla’s spark still shines was sent from the place where one of the greatest triumphs of the human mind was achieved 130 years ago, connecting continents, nations and future generations
The pinnacle of the festival was Tesla Gala Night – an evening dedicated to art, history and the remembrance of a man whose ideas forever changed the course of civilisation. Through music, science, theatre and historical reminiscences, the audience received the opportunity to recognise the enduring importance of Tesla’s life and legacy, but also to gain insight into the extent to which the scope of his innovations are still the subject of new discoveries. The evening’s official segment saw attendees addressed by Kim Van Stygeren, Cultural Development Coordinator of the City of Niagara Falls, Ambassador Tomašević, David Adames, President and CEO of the Niagara Parks Commission, as well as Canadian MP Ned Kuruc, who emphasised the importance of preserving Tesla‘s heritage, but also cultural cooperation between Serbia and Canada. The programme’s presenters were actress and singer Jelena Gavrilović and Air Serbia VP for the Americas, George Petković. With their professionalism, charm and major involvement during the preparation and realisation of the festival, Gavrilović and Petković contributed
immeasurably to the creation of an event that will be remembered as one of the most significant cultural events dedicated to Nikola Tesla beyond Serbia’s borders. Air Serbia, as the festival’s official sponsor, recognised the importance of this event to nurturing the image and works of Nikola Tesla, as well as its potential in strengthening cultural and economic ties between Serbia and Canada. Providing special symbolism to this cooperation is the fact that direct scheduled flights between Belgrade and Toronto were re-established in May of this year, thus connecting the two countries even more closely. Nikola Tesla Fest once again confirmed that Tesla’s legacy belongs not only to history, but to the future. In the place where his vision forever changed the way the world uses electricity, people of different generations, professions and cultures gathered together, united by the same idea of preserving the memory of Nikola Tesla through the inspiration that his work still provides to humanity.
Air Serbia » Er Srbija | 63
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