Plenary lectures

The Plenary Lectures, held each afternoon at the Victoria Eugenia Theatre, are the hallmark of the festival. Throughout the week, the city embraces the spirit of scientific discovery, bringing the entire community together to celebrate a shared passion for knowledge.

With internationally renowned scientists among the speakers, including several Nobel Prize laureates, audiences will have the opportunity to explore the fascinating discoveries and breakthroughs that have transformed our understanding of the world.

For the 2026 edition, the festival will once again explore a wide range of topics through inspiring keynote lectures that combine intellectual rigour with engaging storytelling. The programme will also feature interview-format sessions, offering audiences a different and more personal perspective on science. In addition to the Victoria Eugenia Theatre, Plenary Lectures will also take place at other venues, with one of the festival’s distinguished guests appearing in Bilbao.

Admission to the Plenary Lectures is free of charge, subject to venue capacity. Free tickets must be obtained in advance through the online registration platform, which will be available closer to the event.

As lectures may be delivered in English, Spanish or Basque, simultaneous interpretation will be provided in all three languages to ensure that everyone can enjoy the sessions.

All public festival events will also be streamed live.