Bucharest, Romania | June 12–13, 2026 — If you have ever wondered what the future looks like, ASTROFEST 2026 – European Space & Science Festival may offer the answer.
For two days, Crângași Park in Bucharest will become Romania’s largest open-air science and technology hub, bringing together space exploration, artificial intelligence, robotics, astronomy, genomics, education and innovation. More than 10,000 visitors are expected to attend the 12th edition of the festival, organized by Știință & Tehnică Magazine and the Science & Technology Association, under the auspices of the Romanian Academy, with the support of Bucharest Sector 6 City Hall and the backing of the Romanian Ministry of Education and Research and the Ministry of National Defence.
ASTROFEST 2026 will bring together more than 120 researchers, professors, inventors, science communicators, students and young innovators from universities, research institutes, astronomical observatories, educational organizations, robotics clubs and technology communities across Romania, alongside international guests and cultural partners from Austria and China.
Visitors will have the opportunity to meet the people behind some of today’s most exciting scientific, technological and educational initiatives and discover how innovation is shaping the future.
Exploring the Future
The festival will feature several major thematic areas:
- Aerospace, Defense & Security Zone – space exploration, satellites, astronomy, Earth observation, communications technologies, drones, dual-use technologies and security innovation.
- AI & Robotics Zone – artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, robotics and emerging technologies.
- Education & Future Skills Zone – universities, educational projects, robotics clubs and future-ready skills.
- Future Human / MedTech Zone – genomics, personalized medicine, biotechnology, medical robotics and the impact of AI on healthcare.
- European Astrophotography Salon – showcasing some of the most spectacular astrophotography images produced across Europe.
- Science Fiction, Science & Animation Film Festival – international and Romanian productions dedicated to science, technology, exploration and the future.
- Main Stage – talks, presentations, debates and public discussions with astronauts, researchers, engineers, inventors and science communicators.
Celebrating 45 Years Since Romania’s Historic Journey into Space
This year’s edition carries special significance, marking the 45th anniversary of the spaceflight of Dumitru-Dorin Prunariu, the only Romanian to have travelled into space.
The highlight of the festival will be Prunariu’s special keynote presentation on Saturday, followed by a public meet-and-greet and autograph session.
Yet ASTROFEST 2026 is not only about celebrating past achievements—it is equally focused on the future.
The team behind Romania’s first satellite mission will meet the public and share the challenges, lessons and ambitions behind one of the country’s most important space projects. Visitors will gain insight into how a space mission is developed in Romania today and what future opportunities lie ahead for the national space sector.
The festival will also host the Romanian teams that represented the country at the FIRST Tech Challenge World Championship 2026 in Houston, including some of the world’s top-performing robotics teams. These young innovators will showcase the robots and engineering solutions that placed Romania among the global leaders in educational robotics.
Throughout the festival, visitors will be invited to explore some of today’s most fascinating scientific questions through debates and presentations such as:
- AI: Promise or Threat?
- Immortality, the Human Genome and Genetic Engineering
- How Did Life Begin on Earth and How Does the Solar System Influence It?
- ESA’s Hera Mission and the New Era of Planetary Defense
New Attractions in 2026
Among the major additions to this year’s festival are:
- The 3rd European Astrophotography Salon
- The 1st Science Fiction, Science & Animation Film Festival
- The ASTROFEST Kite Challenge
The film festival will feature selections from the internationally acclaimed Ars Electronica Animation Festival (Austria), the Chinese science-fiction comedy The Moon Man, the blockbuster The Wandering Earth, and The Blue Planet Outside Our Window – Shenzhou 13, a documentary dedicated to one of the most remarkable missions of China’s human spaceflight program.
The new Kite Challenge offers a playful reinterpretation of humanity’s oldest dream—flight—while celebrating creativity, imagination and exploration.
The festival will also mark the release of the special 140th edition of Știință & Tehnică Magazine, dedicated to the 45th anniversary of Dumitru-Dorin Prunariu’s historic mission and to the themes that define ASTROFEST: space, technology, artificial intelligence, education and the future.
Astronomy Under the Stars
One of the festival’s most popular attractions will once again be its large-scale astronomy observation program.
Visitors will have access to more than 20 telescopes operated by approximately 60 professional and amateur astronomers, including the giant telescopes Gargantua (500 mm), The Monster (400 mm) and The Dragon (360 mm).
Closing Concert Under the Stars
After two days dedicated to discovery, technology and imagination, ASTROFEST 2026 will conclude with a special open-air concert by Emeric Imre & Friends, one of Romania’s most beloved folk music groups.
Admission to all festival activities is free.
Location: Crângași Park, Bucharest, Romania
Dates: June 12–13, 2026
#ASTROFEST2026
For more information:
https://stiintasitehnica.com/astrofest/
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