World Quantum Day 2026 at the Brno Observatory and Planetarium will offer an interactive afternoon program and two lectures on quantum computing for everyone interested in the topic.
On 14 April 2026, World Quantum Day (WQD 2026) will take place at the Brno Observatory and Planetarium. The event is organized by the Brno Observatory and Planetarium in cooperation with the Institute of Scientific Instruments of the Czech Academy of Sciences and the Institute of Physics of Materials of the Czech Academy of Sciences.
The program will begin at 4:30 PM with Science through Play – an interactive afternoon for curious visitors of all ages, held in the foyer of the building. Visitors will be able to try simple experiments demonstrating quantum phenomena. Scientists from ISI and IPM will present exhibits showing how quantum principles appear in everyday technologies. The program will also introduce phenomena that cannot normally be observed with the naked eye, yet stand behind the emergence of modern quantum physics. You’ll also be able to run a quantum computation here! This part of the program is free of charge.
From 6:00 PM, two lectures in the digital planetarium will follow, each offering a different perspective on today’s quantum computing.
In the lecture Quantum Computing: From Theory to Practice, Mgr. Ondřej Král will discuss what quantum computers can do today, what to do when a problem does not fit into the available number of qubits, what IBM’s strategy for scaling quantum computers looks like, and where to begin with quantum computing. The lecture will offer a practical view of the current state and future of quantum technologies.
The second lecture, Quantum Computing: Between Hype and Real Impact, will be delivered by Prof. RNDr. Marek Lampart, Ph.D. It will offer a clear, balanced and realistic overview of the principles of quantum computing and its actual potential impact. It will explain basic concepts such as the qubit, superposition and entanglement, and show why a quantum computer is not simply a faster classical machine, but a fundamentally different computing paradigm. Using specific examples of quantum algorithms, the lecture will demonstrate where quantum advantage is theoretically grounded and where it remains an open challenge. Attention will also be given to optimization, the simulation of materials and chemical systems, and cryptography. The lecture will also include a realistic assessment of the current state of the technology in the NISQ era, its limitations and technical challenges, as well as the outlook toward fault-tolerant quantum computers. Finally, it will introduce VLQ, the first quantum computer in the Czech Republic, and its role in the context of international development, research, education and cooperation with industry.
The lectures are intended for the public and are suitable for serious enthusiasts of natural sciences. The program lasts approximately 100 minutes including discussion, and the admission fee is CZK 150. Tickets for the lectures are available here:
https://www.brnoid.cz/cs/hvezdarna-vstupenky?e=32150
At the end, it may be noted that from 9:00 PM, visitors may also attend a night sky observation program, which is not part of this event. It takes place at the astronomical observatory, is suitable for visitors aged 10 and above, lasts approximately 60 minutes, and the admission fee is CZK 150. In case of bad weather, an alternative program with an artificial night sky demonstration in a small planetarium is offered.
More information: https://www.hvezdarna.cz/?type=program&datum=2026-4-14
