Last week, IFAE organised several events on the occasion of the European Researchers’ Night (ERN) that brought together around 500 people from all ages.

On 26 September, the official ERN day, IFAE hosted several activities to share scientific culture with the public.

Science & Songs was one of the highlights of the night, at Casa Golferichs. This multidisciplinary performance blended music, storytelling, and visuals to guide the audience through key moments in the history of the Universe, the emergence of life, and technological development.

Simultaneously, The Quantum Universe for Everyone interactive workshop took place at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB). Participants explored physics through demonstrations in quantum physics, particle physics, and cosmology, gaining a hands-on experience of the origins of the Universe.

In the days leading up to the ERN, IFAE organized several pre-events to spark curiosity and bring science closer to the public.

The Universe Brick by Brick kicked off the week on Monday 22 September. This hands-on workshop used LEGO bricks as a powerful tool to explore the origin and evolution of the Universe. Guided by IFAE’s outreach team, participants built models of processes such as the Big Bang and the formation of fundamental particles. Designed as a dynamic and adaptable activity for all ages, the session combined play, creativity, and cutting-edge research, making complex concepts accessible in an engaging way.

Cosmic Horror: Physics & Literature took place three days later, on Thursday 25, at Bar AfterLife in Barcelona. The event invited the audience to discover surprising links between H. P. Lovecraft’s literary universe and physics concepts such as cosmic rays and the ultimate fate of the cosmos. By weaving together speculative fiction and fundamental physics, the evening offered a fresh and imaginative perspective on how science and literature can intersect.