International Day of Light 2026: HiLASE Centre transformed into the Academy of Guardians of HiLASE

To mark the International Day of Light 2026, the HiLASE Centre opened its doors to the public on Friday, 15th of May. This year’s event transformed the centre into the Academy of Guardians of HiLASE, inviting visitors into a world of lasers, experiments, and mystery.

Throughout the afternoon, visitors of all ages could try out a laser shooting range, virtual reality activities, and a real laser set-up demonstration. Guided tours of the Laser Shock Peening experimental halls also attracted great interest, offering a glimpse into advanced laser technologies used in industrial applications.

The main highlight of the event was an interactive detective game. A valuable Photon Core had disappeared from the Academy, and visitors had to uncover the culprit by collecting clues at different activity stations. One of the key clues came from a UV light investigation station, which ultimately helped participants identify Engineer Flux as the thief. Nearly eighty visitors successfully solved the case.

We would like to thank everyone who joined us, as well as all colleagues involved in preparing the programme. The Day of Light 2026 brought an afternoon full of science, fun, and a fantastic atmosphere to the HiLASE Centre.