September of science, innovation and knowledge in San Sebastian

Throughout September, the city will host a number of international events focusing on new materials, quantum technologies, scientific research and outreach, further strengthening its position as a destination for high value-added conferences and knowledge-based events.

San Sebastian will experience a September with a strong focus on science, research, innovation and knowledge transfer. Universities, research centres and scientific organisations will once again choose the city as a meeting point for experts and professionals from different countries.

The agenda clearly reflects the close connection between San Sebastian’s conference activity and its scientific and technological ecosystem, where institutions such as EHU, POLYMAT and the Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC) play a key role in generating and attracting highly specialised events.

New materials to open the month

From 7 to 11 September, the Joxe Mari Korta Centre at EHU will host the Workshop on Emulsion Polymerization Process, organised by POLYMAT.

The event is aimed at science and engineering professionals from both academia and industry with an interest in emulsion polymerisation, and will bring together specialists in this field of research over five days.

Hosting this workshop in San Sebastian once again highlights the ability of the city’s university and scientific environment to attract highly specialised meetings and foster exchange between research and industry.

San Sebastian, a meeting point for quantum science

The programme will continue from 14 to 17 September at Miramar Palace with Fundamental Science with Quantum Computers and Simulators, an event focusing on the opportunities offered by quantum computers and simulators to address fundamental questions in physics.

The programme will bring together postgraduate students, early-career researchers and international specialists, with the aim of promoting knowledge exchange in areas such as quantum simulation, many-body systems, quantum information processing and emerging quantum technologies.

The event is promoted by EHU-Quantum Center, DIPC and Basque Quantum, and reflects the growing specialisation of San Sebastian and the Basque Country in one of the scientific and technological fields with the strongest international potential.

BIHAR: knowledge and linguistic diversity

The month’s knowledge agenda will also extend into the social, cultural and linguistic fields with BIHAR – International Congress of Minoritised Language Communities Undergoing Revitalisation, which will take place from 23 to 26 September in different locations across the Basque Country.

The event will begin in Bilbao on 23 September; Ficoba in Irun will host the main part of the programme on 24 and 25 September; and the congress will conclude in Hendaye on 26 September.

Organised by Garabide, Plazara, Soziolinguistika Klusterra and Taupa, the congress will bring together representatives, experts and stakeholders from language communities around the world to share experiences and generate new reflections on language revitalisation, identity, diversity, social justice and future challenges.

Passion for Knowledge: bringing science closer to society

Passion 4K 2023, Encounters with students, Victoria Eugenia

At the end of the month, science will once again connect with society through a new edition of Passion for Knowledge (P4K), the international science festival organised by DIPC, taking place from 28 September to 3 October in San Sebastian and Bilbao.

The festival aims to bring scientific knowledge closer to diverse audiences and create spaces for dialogue between the research community and the general public. Its programme includes plenary lectures, meetings with students, New Voices, Bertso Passion, Naukas Passion, Passion Txiki, training activities for PhD students and initiatives linked to Emakumeak Zientzian (Women in Science), among other activities.

The 2026 edition will once again combine world-class research, science communication and public engagement, turning San Sebastian into one of the leading showcases for scientific knowledge over several days. The participation of internationally renowned scientific figures, together with activities aimed at younger generations and the wider public, further reinforces the city’s commitment to making knowledge shared and accessible.

Exotic quantum matter to close September

Coinciding with Passion for Knowledge, from 30 September to 2 October, Miramar Palace will host the international workshop Exotic Quantum Matter – New Strategies for Measurement and Control (EQM-MC), promoted by DIPC.

The event will explore new strategies for studying, measuring and controlling the properties of quantum matter, bringing together specialists working from a range of experimental and theoretical perspectives.

The workshop is also part of the Passion for Knowledge programme as a SPARK Satellite Workshop, further strengthening the connection between specialised research, international scientific collaboration and the communication of knowledge.

A city where knowledge comes together and is shared

The concentration of these events in September highlights San Sebastian’s role as a meeting point for science, innovation, knowledge and conference activity.

The presence of leading universities and research centres, together with venues equipped to host international meetings and a strong scientific and technological network, creates an ecosystem particularly well suited to organising specialised congresses and events.

From new materials and quantum technologies to linguistic diversity and science communication, September’s programme reflects the many dimensions of a shared commitment: to make knowledge one of San Sebastian’s distinguishing features as a conference destination and to project the city’s scientific and innovative ecosystem internationally.