World Microbiome Day 2021 was marked by the theme of SUSTAINABILITY, aiming to champion microbiomes as our allies in creating a sustainable future for our planet. We are thrilled to see such a vast engagement in the celebrations all around the world. World Microbiome Day is gaining momentum, no doubt!

To prepare for the day and bring people together with fun activities, two competitions were organized. The winners of the competition have already been announced. Have a look at their creative and original contributions here.

While there were a few events that happened live and on site again, most of the celebrations were held online. Take a look at the event map and you will soon realize that in every part of the world people want to raise awareness of the vibrant and diverse world of microbes.

Let us show you some of the highlights!

Ireland

Virtual Ireland was bursting with activities! Our Partner APC Microbiome Ireland interviewed celebrity chef Darina Allen and APC researcher John Leech as they talk about growing and fermenting your own foods at home and making the most out of unused food. Find the full interview here.

APC also hosted a ‘Ask the expert‘ event with researchers working on different areas of microbiome science.

Austria

On June 29th, MicrobiomeSupport partner AIT Austria Institute of Technology hosted an online event together with EIT Food. The event with the title “Let’s ACTinEITFood: Microbiomes and Our Food System” highlighted best practices in microbiome research and identified opportunities that microbiomes present in plant primary production, animal health and food processing. Among the invited speakers were Dr. Angela Sessitsch from AIT, Prof. Dr. Jana Seifert from University Hohenheim and Dr. Vímac Nolla Ardèvol from Puratos.

Spain

Our partner, the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), organized a roundtable with many interesting guests to discuss microbiomes and their significance for sustainable food systems. The recording is still available.

Australia

Author and illustrator of ‘There’s a Zoo in my Poo’, Prof Felice Jacka and Rob Craw, perform a virtual reading of their children’s book for World Microbiome Day. Listen to it here.

Again, a big THANK YOU to everyone who participated in some form or another in World Microbiome Day this year.

And also a special thanks to our partner APC Microbiome Ireland, with whose help we are continually working to drive World Microbiome Day forward.