Vilnius has cemented its reputation as a hub for the world’s
laser and photonics community as it announces plans to host a series of leading
international scientific events.
The Lithuanian capital will host a concentration of high-level
laser and photonics events this year, including the International Conference on
Laser Ablation (COLA 2026) on 14-16 September and the Optica Laser Congress and
Exhibition (11–15 October), a rare occurrence, according to tourism and
business development agency Go Vilnius.
Lithuania boasts a strong history in laser research. The first
laser was fired at Vilnius University in 1966, and it is home to the Center for
Physical Sciences and Technology, Lithuania’s largest research institution in
laser technologies, optoelectronics, nanotechnology, electronics, and advanced
materials.
Today, the sector includes more than 60 companies employing
over 2,000 highly skilled specialists, while the city is also
home to 1,100 tech companies in all with other sectors like FinTech,
biotech, and AI accelerating its rise as an international business and
innovation hub.
The strong laser ecosystem is a key reason why such
prestigious international conferences had selected Vilnius, said Dr Gediminas Račiukaitis,
president of the Lithuanian Laser Association.
“Lithuania’s laser sector is built on a uniquely close
relationship between research and industry, and Vilnius has become the centre
of this ecosystem,” he said. “Bringing leading minds together is crucial for
sharing the latest advancements and learning from the people shaping the future
of photonics.”
He said events, which connected scientists, engineers, and
companies were the catalyst for innovation across the field.
Vilnius will host LHCb Week 2026 during the same week as
COLA 2026. The week-long event focusing on experimental particle physics, will
bring together 600 participants from over 100 leading institutions around the world,
including 300 scientists attending onsite.
The event represents a significant milestone in Lithuania’s
growing contribution to global experimental particle physics, said Go Vilnius.
