Festum Pi: Where Mathematics Meets Music in the Heart of Crete

It’s a festival unlike any other that’s about to make the ancient stones of Chania in Crete (Greece) resonate. For its fourth edition, which will take place from July 14 to 27, 2025, Festum Pi unveils an ambitious program, combining high-level scientific conferences and musical evenings open to everyone. A celebration that is both popular and erudite, conceived as a "point of convergence between several themes: the sciences – scientific culture in particular – culture and music," summarizes Cédric Villani.

The mathematician and Fields medalist is behind the project along with Greek conductor Dionysios Dervis-Bournias. Both share a dual French-Greek culture and a common conviction: “music and mathematics share well-known historical roots.” Roots that go back to the Pythagoreans, Aristotle, and the idea that “order, precision, and commensurability” are essential attributes of beauty. And also the essence of mathematical sciences. “Aristotle himself considered mathematical reasoning to be the most aesthetic, the most beautiful form of reasoning,” says Cédric Villani.

A free and transdisciplinary festival

Free for the public thanks to support from the Region of Crete, Festum Pi offers nightly concerts or talks in a warm atmosphere. The festival is built on four main pillars:

• research, with a symposium bringing together specialists in applied analysis;

• education, through a summer school welcoming young students from Greece, France and elsewhere;

• culture, with a daily program of concerts and lectures;

• and transversality, with workshops that bring music and mathematics into dialogue.

Recitals range from classical masterpieces to original creations, often the fruit of Franco-Greek collaborations. As for the talks, scientific culture takes the spotlight with contributions aimed at curious audiences. “We’ll talk about mathematics and music from a modern perspective,” emphasizes Cédric Villani.

The event is aimed at professional researchers as well as non-specialist mathematics students, early PhD candidates, and curious individuals interested in science.

Artificial intelligence, algorithms and musical creation

Among the most anticipated talks this year is one by Costas Daskalakis, MIT researcher, who will discuss the uses of algorithms in our modern society. François Pachet, pioneer of AI-generated music, will reflect on his experience at Sony Labs, where he led the creation of the first AI-composed album in the style of the Beatles.

Cédric Villani, for his part, will explore a subject close to his heart: “the impact of artificial intelligence on society, but also the challenges AI poses to ecological transition.” A topic he sees as crucial, highlighting how mathematics today can shed light on major issues of our time.

Festum Pi, a joyful resistance to the crisis of scientific culture

In a national context marked by uncertainty about the future of research and of emblematic institutions like the Palais de la Découverte in Paris, the festival also takes on a strong symbolic dimension. “Scientific culture in our country is under unprecedented attack,” recalled Cédric Villani, reacting to the sidelining of the director of this historic institution. In response to this climate, Festum Pi aims to be a “condensed blend of the ingredients that make scientific culture successful,” and proof by example that rigor and joy, knowledge and emotion, can coexist.

Source: Lucie Delaporte, We Demain, https://www.wedemain.fr/decouvrir/festum-pi-mathematiques-et-musique-pour-faire-vibrer-la-crete/amp/