Where do we come from? Edwige Pezzulli and Jonas Marti explain

On Saturday, 10 May, UniVerso, an open day dedicated to the general public, will be held on the West Campus of Università della Svizzera italiana. This event offers an opportunity to explore the many facets of the University through interactive and engaging activities suitable for all ages. Among the day's proposals, a Scientific Apero will feature astrophysicist Edwige Pezzulli and historian and writer Jonas Marti. They will attempt to answer a crucial question: Where do we come from?

The atoms that make up our bodies originated from the remnants of exploded stars: a fascinating connection highlighting how history and science, despite being distinct fields, have much to share.

Edwige Pezzulli, why do you believe understanding history is important for those studying the universe?

"Understanding history allows us to see how, over time, we have chosen to come together, organise ourselves, and make sense of our humanity. While history focuses on our recent past, astrophysics encourages us to step back even further, placing human questions within the vast context of the entire universe. Our real story, after all, begins 13.8 billion years ago with the Big Bang. If we could tell this story in a 1,000-page book, all human events—from prehistory to the construction of the pyramids, through the Chinese, Roman, and Inca empires, the French Revolution, and the invention of the light bulb, all the way to the launch of the first satellite—would occupy only the last page. To be precise, it would be confined to the last letter of the last line. Yet, in that tiny letter is our entire existence, and it is there that our ability to ask questions and seek answers resides. To truly understand our place in this narrative, we must consider that last letter alongside the entire book. Only by recognising the interconnectedness of our origins—chemical, cosmic, historical, and cultural—can we consciously decide where and how to spread our wings in the future."

Jonas Marti, how, in your opinion, do science and history dialogue with each other?

"The history of humanity is the latest chapter in a story that began billions of years ago. Long before kings, cities, and written documents emerged, the laws of physics were shaping the Earth, placing it at the ideal distance from the Sun and creating the chemical conditions necessary for life. In this sense, the fundamental principles of physics and chemistry serve as the essential prologue to our history. Without these cosmic processes, there would be no human story to tell. However, the connection between science and history extends beyond this distant past. Today, science offers historians remarkable tools. Genetics uncovers ancient migrations that have never been documented in written records, isotopes in organic remains enable precise dating of our ancestors' lives, and chemical analysis of ceramics and metals helps to reconstruct forgotten trade routes. Therefore, science and history are not separate domains; rather, they provide complementary perspectives on a single grand narrative: the story of our journey from stardust to modern civilisation."

The topics studied by Edwige Pezzulli and Jonas Marti are more closely related to our daily lives than one might expect. During their lecture, the two presenters will guide us on a journey through the past and present of humanity, helping us gain a better understanding of who we are.

Edwige, Jonas: what do you propose to convey, and what message do you hope to leave with those who attend the Scientific Apero?

EP: "Viewing ourselves from the perspective of the Universe can help us challenge our assumptions and gain a clearer understanding of what we typically observe up close. It is similar to climbing a mountain: from a distance, our journey becomes clearer. I hope we can shift our gaze far enough away to return and observe our reality with more attentive eyes, if only for a moment."

JM: "I want to express a sense of wonder—wonder of how our existence today arises from the intricate interplay of cosmic events and human experiences, as well as the laws of nature and cultural constructs. Alongside this sense of wonder, there is also a sense of vertigo. When we truly engage with both science and history, we realise how insignificant we are. We are small in space, considering the vastness of the universe and the stellar origins of the matter that compose us. We are also small in time, when we reflect on the extensive timeline of human history, the millennia that came before us, the civilisations that have vanished, and the names that have been forgotten. This awareness—of being part of something much larger than ourselves—encourages us to find our place in the grand scheme of things. It helps us to be more humble, attentive, and responsible. Understanding our origins, whether cosmic or historical, ultimately makes us a little more human."

The event will be held on Saturday, 10 May, at 6 pm at USI Aula Magna. The conversation will be moderated by Professor Gabriele Balbi (Faculty of Communication, Culture and Society, USI). The evening will be enriched by an artistic installation by the Compagnia Finzi Pasca and will end with an aperitif offered to all participants.

More information is available at the following link.

You can register for the Scientific Aperitif via the following link.

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Edwige Pezzulli: Astrophysicist and populariser; after graduating, she earned a PhD in astrophysics, focusing on the theoretical study of black hole formation at the centres of the oldest galaxies in the universe. She works at the National Institute of Astrophysics (INAF) and collaborates with RAI, where she authors and presents in-depth scientific programmes on both television and radio. She has previously worked with Piero Angela on the "Superquark+" and currently writes and narrates segments about the universe for "Noos," a programme hosted by Alberto Angela.

Jonas Marti: Jonas works as a journalist and populariser at RSI. He is the creator, author, and presenter of successful television programmes dedicated to history, culture, and art, such as La storia infinita and Meraviglie della Svizzera, which are also translated into other national languages. A graduate in literature and history from Bologna, a musician and composer, he collaborates with newspapers, cultural institutions and local authorities throughout Switzerland to promote and defend the great historical wealth of the region.