[Translated by eTranslation]

The evening starts with a science show for children, followed by a science slam contribution on the topic "Hallstattzeitliches It-Girl mit Soundeffekt und Social Distancing in der Bronzezeit", presented by Karina Grömer, Austrian Science Slam State Champion 2020. Martin Kapun, bioinformatician and "Lord of the Flies", then dedicates himself to the eventful relationship between fruit fly and man.
 
After the solemn welcome by Federal Minister Eva-Maria Holzleitner, Head of Section Henriette Spyra (representing Federal Minister Peter Hanke), State Secretary Elisabeth Zehetner (representing Federal Minister Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer) and Director General Katrin Vohland, the "Heinz Oberhummer Award 2026" for outstanding scientific communication will be awarded to the British writer, comedian and radio and television presenter Sandi Toksvig.
 
As the final point of the programme, scientists from the Christian Doppler Forschungsgesellschaft (CDG) will present their projects in a science slam followed by a public vote for the most convincing presentation.
 
For guests, 30 million objects are scientifically supervised and researched in the museum's collections. There are also state-of-the-art research laboratories. At the LNDF, visitors have the opportunity to take a look behind the scenes. Guided tours will allow you to explore the mammal collection, the insect collections, the Central Research Laboratories and the Botanical Collection.
 
The Austrian photo artist Gregor Sailer, on the other hand, takes interested people on a journey to the Schlaraffenland of the future. He personally leads through his exhibition "Cockaigne. Schlaraffenland der Zukunft?", which provides insights into futuristic-looking production sites of present-day food. Accompanying stations, supervised by researchers of the NHM Vienna, range thematically from food in the Hallstatt period to future food.
 
 

The program in detail

 Stage program in the lecture hall: Research at the center

 
5:30–6:00 p.m.

• Science Show for Children (with Bernhard Weingartner)

 
6:00–6:45 p.m.

• Karina Grömer (NHM Vienna), Austrian Science Slam State Champion 2020 with the contribution: "Hallstatt-era it-girl with sound effect and social distancing in the Bronze Age"
• Martin Kapun (NHM Vienna), fruit. Fly it. Human being. Eye-opener about the changeful relationship between fruit fly and human.

 
7:00 p.m.

• Welcome by Federal Minister Eva-Maria Holzleitner, Head of Section Henriette Spyra (representing Federal Minister Peter Hanke), State Secretary Elisabeth Zehetner (representing Federal Minister Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer) and NHM Director General Katrin Vohland

 
then until 8:30 p.m.

• Presentation of the Heinz Oberhummer Award 2026 by the Science Busters to Sandi Toskvig

 
9:00–10:30 p.m.

• ScienceSlam of the Christian Doppler Research Society (CDG), Moderated by Bernhard Weingartner

 
Cooperation event with the Federal Ministry for Women, Science and Research (BMFWF), the Federal Ministry for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure (BMIMI) and the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs, Energy and Tourism (BMWET).
 
 

Backstage tours in laboratories and collections: Research at NHM Vienna

 
6:00 p.m.

• Central Research Laboratories (ZFL): Meteorites – from space to Earth and into the laboratory of NHM Vienna
• 120,000 mammals behind the scenes

 
7:00 p.m.

• Preserved beauty: the Botanical Collection
• Insect research behind the scenes

 
8:00 p.m.

• Central Research Laboratories (ZFL): Meteorites – from space to Earth and into the laboratory of NHM Vienna

 
9:00 p.m.

• Preserved beauty: the Botanical Collection
• Insect research behind the scenes

 
9:30 p.m.

• 120,000 mammals behind the scenes

 
Max. 15 people
Meeting point: Information booth in the entrance foyer in the Lower Dome Hall
Duration: approx. 50 minutes
 
 

Curator's tour: Cockaigne. Schlaraffenland of the future? (Level 2)

 
8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.

• The photo artist Gregor Sailer leads through the exhibition.

 
Accompanying stations in the exhibition collection:
 

• Vienna City Fly. The study of Viennese flies brings unexpected insights into questions of human and animal migration, food and agriculture and even makes old political boundaries visible again.
• The future on the plate. Edible insects between tradition and future food – with tastings for the curious and hungry.    
• Food crops. Food crops yesterday, today, tomorrow in the Carolus Clusius year 2026 – from potato to passion fruit, he already knew them all and made them popular in Europe.
• Eating in Hallstatt time. Interdisciplinary research on food residues, animal bones, cookware and excrement.

 

Pathological-anatomical collection in the Fool's Tower on the site of the old AKH

 
For more than 200 years, the unique Viennese pathological-anatomical collection in the Fool's Tower has been used for the documentation and research of diseases. 19 modernly designed exhibition rooms on the ground floor of the refurbished building offer an insight into the history of disease and pathology. The LNDF offers guided tours of the exhibition and the study collection, which can only be accessed under supervision, which houses valuable preparations and moulages for various diseases.
 
6:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.

• Guided tour of the study collection in the Fool's Tower

Related links: 
LNDF 2026 at NHM Vienna
LNDF 2026 website
 
 
Inquiry note
Mag. Irina Kubadinow
Head of Press & Public Relations, Press Spokesperson
Tel.: +43 (1) 521 77-410                  
irina.kubadinow@nhm.at                                                                             
 
Mag. Klara Vakaj
Press officer
Tel.: +43 (1) 521 77-626
klara.vakaj@nhm.at