The fourth edition of the Biennal Ciutat i Ciència kicks off next week with more than 130 activities designed to spark reflection and bring citizens closer to the quantum revolution.
In this article, we highlight several activities involving the BIST Community and share resources to learn about quantum science from home.
Quantum Takes Centre Stage in Barcelona
The fourth Barcelona’s Biennal Ciutat i Ciència (18-23 November 2025) coincides with the celebration of the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, and aims to provide an ideal space to explore the social changes that this field is bringing about through multiple technological discoveries. These advances not only open up new opportunities but also raise fresh questions and challenges for the future. Through talks, debates, performances, and exhibitions, the Biennal will address quantum science and technology from perspectives as diverse as philosophy, art, and thought.
Promoted by the Barcelona City Council and curated by researcher Alba Cervera, journalist Toni Pou, and the HacTe Association (of which BIST is a member), the Biennal’s main hub will be at El Born Museu d’Història de Barcelona, with activities also taking place across other venues in the city.
Two BIST Community centres, ICFO and IFAE, have played an active role in shaping this year’s programme, and a number of BIST Community members will contribute to events that explore the quantum world from scientific, cultural, and artistic viewpoints, including:
- Round tables on the quantum research revolution, its geopolitical impact, and entrepreneurship.
- A conference on cybersecurity and quantum technologies and a conversation among the researcher Ignacio Cirac and the writer Sónia Fernández-Vidal which will take the audience on a journey from Schrödinger’s cat to quantum computers.
- Film screenings to explore the relationships between quantum mechanics and the cinematic language, with discussions between film experts and quantum physicists.
- The Night of Science, featuring a sound performance by composer Reiko Yamada, who brings quantum physics into the realm of sound, introduced by ICFO physicist ICREA Prof. Maciej Lewenstein.
- Workshops for schools, offering students the chance to meet experts and take part in experiments on cosmic rays and quantum cryptography.
The whole Biennal programme can be found here.
Learn About Quantum Science from Home
The research centres of the BIST Community working in quantum science and technology have developed a variety of resources for everyone interested in exploring this fascinating field. These initiatives make it possible to learn about the quantum world, its foundations, and its applications — wherever you are.
Quantum Posters
ICFO, ICIQ, ICN2, IFAE, BIST and Perimeter Institute (Waterloo, Canadà) outreach professionals have jointly created a series of posters to introduce high school students (and everyone interested!) to the quantum world. The posters, nicely illustrated by Maria Picassó, can be downloaded in Catalan, Spanish and English from the BIST website (also available in French at the Perimeter Institute website).
A Quantum Phenomenon Every Month
The Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ) has created a Quantum Chemistry Calendar dedicated to understanding quantum concepts through chemistry. Each month features a short explanatory video and an illustration by artist Elena Pedrola — a creative way to discover the invisible world of atoms and molecules.
A Quantum Tour at ICFO
Take a virtual tour of the ICFO – The Institute of Photonic Sciences and explore the laboratories and research spaces where scientists study quantum phenomena such as superposition and entanglement. The tour features animations and videos explaining how quantum principles are applied to real-world technologies.
Whether you join the Biennal Ciutat i Ciència in person or explore these online resources from home, this week is the perfect time to learn, think, and enjoy quantum science — and to experience the quantum revolution.
