The Total Solar Eclipse is the focus of a traveling exhibition that will tour the Basque Country
2026
Apr
1
A traveling exhibition on the total solar eclipse opens today in Zarautz, organized by Jakindari, the alliance for scientific culture promoted by the Basque Government’s Department of Science, Universities, and Research. The exhibition has benefited from the special collaboration of DIPC and Aranzadi and will tour 13 towns in Gipuzkoa, Bizkaia, and Araba over the course of five months, accompanied by an extensive program of educational activities for all audiences.
This morning, Juan Ignacio Pérez Iglesias, the Regional Minister of Science, Universities, and Innovation, opened the exhibition “The Day of the Two Sunsets” in Zarautz’s Ama Lur Square. This educational exhibition focuses on the total solar eclipse that will be visible in the Basque Country on August 12.
The exhibition, consisting of scientific illustrations, is designed to present this astronomical phenomenon in an educational, accessible, and engaging way for all audiences, inviting the public to understand and enjoy this exceptional event.
A tour of 13 towns over five months
The exhibition forms part of a travelling programme of educational activities that will bring science to different parts of the Basque Country. The initiative, promoted by the Department of Science, Universities and Innovation, involves the collaboration of more than 20 organisations belonging to Jakindari, the alliance for scientific culture, including the Donostia International Physics Centre (DIPC) and Aranzadi, which have participated in the development of the exhibition.
The centrepiece of the programme is this exhibition dedicated to eclipses, which will tour 13 towns across the region. After its stop in Zarautz, the four totems that make up the exhibition will travel to Beasain, Zalla, Donostia, Bergara, Durangaldea, Bilbao, Barakaldo, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Añana, Valdegovía, La Puebla de Labarca and Laguardia, with the aim of bringing this astronomical phenomenon to a diverse audience and fostering an interest in science throughout the region.
The exhibition will be set up in squares, parks and cultural venues, turning each stop into an invitation to look at the sky with fresh eyes and get ready for the eclipse on 12 August.
Supporting activities for all ages
The programme is complemented by a wide range of supporting activities, thanks to the involvement of the organisations within Jakindari. These include informative talks, workshops for children, young people and adults, guided tours, stargazing sessions and storytelling sessions.
All these initiatives aim to foster scientific curiosity from an early age and provide tools to better understand the phenomenon of eclipses, and in particular, the total solar eclipse that we will experience on 12 August.
Jakinaldia 2026: the eclipse festival
As one of the programme’s main highlights, on the afternoon of Saturday 20 June, Matxete Square in Vitoria-Gasteiz will host Jakinaldia 2026, a huge festival open to everyone.
The square will be transformed into a meeting place to celebrate the arrival of the eclipse with a varied programme including children’s shows, science workshops, stand-up comedy, performing arts and a night-time viewing session. An event designed for sharing, learning and collectively enjoying the most significant astronomical phenomenon in many years.
About Jakindari
Established by the Department of Science, Universities and Innovation in 2025, Jakindari—which already has over 60 member organisations—is the Alliance of Organisations for Scientific Culture in the Basque Country. Its main objective is to bring together the efforts of different organisations to make scientific knowledge accessible across our region, by promoting joint activities and the exchange of best practices.
More than 20 Jakindari organisations have taken part in the 2026 outreach programme focusing on the August solar eclipse: Aranzadi Science Society, DIPC, ZarautzOn, Lemniskata Goierriko Zientzia Sare Errikoia, Betelgeuse Enkarterrietako Astronomia Elkartea, Tabakalera, EHU, Kutxa Fundazioa, Polymat, Laboratorium Zientzia Museoa, Bixenta Mogel Library, Izarra Astronomy Society, Norarte, Abadiño Town Council, Logos Society, Astrobizkaia, Barakaldo Town Council, Araba Natural Science Museum, CEA-Centre for Environmental Studies and Araba Astronomy Association.
These are joined by other organisations such as the School of Citizenship of Vitoria-Gasteiz City Council, the Valle Salado Foundation in Añana, the town councils of La Puebla de Labarca and La Guardia, and the Valdegovia Tourist Office, which have made it possible for the exhibition to reach more locations across Álava.