The traveling exhibition “Science for Latvia 2026” has officially opened at the Saeima (Parliament of Latvia), featuring Edgars Butanovs – a researcher at the Laboratory of Thin Films at the Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia (ISSP UL) – among the 12 outstanding Latvian scientists honored this year. The exhibition and its accompanying science calendar aim to highlight the achievements of Latvian researchers and their vital contributions to the country's development.
During the opening event, Deputy Speaker of the Saeima Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica emphasized the critical role of science and research in Latvia's competitiveness and security, stressing the need for political decisions to be rooted in knowledge and evidence. “Science and knowledgeable people are the future of Latvia. Science should not only be present in the Saeima in the form of an exhibition; it must always be present in our thoughts and our decisions,” said Z. Kalniņa-Lukaševica. She noted that asking questions, verifying facts, and seeking evidence – fundamental principles in science – are equally essential in parliamentary work.
The importance of state and societal support for the education and career growth of young scientists was a recurring theme at the event. Česlavs Batņa, Chair of the Saeima Education, Culture, and Science Committee, highlighted the need for practical and financial backing, describing scientists as dreamers in the best sense of the word – driven by the ability to imagine the unknown to reach groundbreaking results. The opening was also attended by the Minister of Education and Science, Ilze Indriksone, and the featured scientists, including Jānis Ārents, Senior Researcher at the Institute of Electronics and Computer Science.
The traveling exhibition has already visited various universities, research institutes, and libraries. It will be on display at the Saeima until October 9.
