On Friday, 26 September 2025, from 5 to 10 pm, the University of Zadar will once again transform Zadar into a true stage of science. This time, the European Researchers’ Night is coming to the New Campus!

The European Researchers’ Night is an event that has been taking place across Europe for twenty years and this year will bring together millions of visitors in over 460 cities in 25 countries. A record-breaking 100 activities will be organised in Zadar, which guarantees the most extensive programme in Croatia.

The European Researchers’ Night is part of the Blue-Connect 2.0 project – “Reconnecting Science with the Blue Society”, which aims to bring science closer to citizens and show that researchers are our fellow citizens whose work shapes society. The organisation in Croatia is led by partners from all coastal universities – from Zadar, Split and Dubrovnik to Rijeka and Pula – with the support of numerous scientific institutes and local communities. Special attention is paid to strengthening the dialogue between scientists and the public as well as promoting enthusiasm for research and science among children and young people.

The programme in Zadar offers a variety of experiments, games, lectures and exhibitions as well as interactive workshops in natural and technical sciences, gastronomy, ecology and culture.

For the first time, the Croatian Automobile Club, the Zadar Public Fire Brigade, the Zadar Police and the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia will present their activities, and visitors can look forward to a spectacular highlight – an acrobatic flyover by the “Wings of Storm”

To mark the 20th anniversary of the European Research Night, a carob tree will be planted on the New Campus – a symbol of the Mediterranean and a sweet connection between nature and science.

Young and old inquisitive minds will have the opportunity to explore the secrets of the universe at an astronomy evening, make paper windmills and gliders from natural materials or build a model of the human lung from a bottle, a straw and a balloon. Nature lovers will investigate the pH value of different types of soil, observe the microscopic world and measure the flow of water in the soil, while the youngest participants will try their hand at “cleaning the seabed” and learn about the importance of environmental protection through play.

Gastronomy will not be neglected either: students from the School of Gastronomy and Tourism in Zadar and the high school in Biograd na Moru will prepare delicious dishes and culinary presentations, combining science and cookery. Of particular interest will be the “Sweet Corner of Health", where students will present healthy treats and explain their nutritional value, while other workshops will familiarise visitors with medicinal herbs used by the ancient Greeks and Romans.

As the event coincides with the World Day of Clean Mountains, representatives of Paklenica National Park, Velebit Nature Park and Telašćica Nature Park will also participate and emphasise the importance of protecting natural resources.

The City of Zadar is once again supporting the event by providing transport for schoolchildren from rural parts of the county so that everyone has the opportunity to take part in this unique event.

The full programme can be found at: jaistrazujem.hr/program.