Scientific Programme
The scientific programme will consist of invited talks (25 + 5 minutes) and contributed talks (12 + 3 minutes) as well as poster sessions. There will be, amongst others, the following keynote speakers at BEACON 2027 (in alphabetical order of their last names):
Confirmed Lecturers
Emeline Bolmont
University of Geneva, Switzerland
Doris Breuer
German Aerospace Centre, Germany
Minik Rosing
Copenhagen University, Denmark
José Caballero
Centro de Astrobiologia, Spain
Teresa Fornaro
INAF, Italy
Nicoletta La Rocca
University of Padova, Italy
Sean McMahon
University of Edinburgh, UK
Floris van der Tak
University of Groningen, The Netherlands
Kai-Uwe Schrogl
University of Tübingen, Germany
Kristina Sekrst
University of Zagreb, Croatia
Vassilissa Vinogradoff
CNRS, France
Poster Sessions
Poster sessions will take place in Vanemuise Conference Hall on Tuesday 25th 20:00 – 22:00 and on Friday 28th May
Social Programme
On 27th May 2027 we offerthe following 4 different conference excursions. Accompanying persons are welcome on all tours!
Go South
A tour for people interesting in the Estonian landscape, medieval history, folk culture and geology, we have an offer for you. We will leave from Tartu at 08:00 and make our way to the Ilumetsa impact. crater (involves a short walk of 500m on a path through a wood) . Thereafter we continue to the open-air museum in Värska where we will have lunch. From there we go on to the Piusa sandstone caves where we have a guided tour through these unique features. We then continue to the medieval Bishop’s castle of Vastselinna (guided tour). Finally, we head to Munamägi, where you have the possibility to walk up to the highest point of Estonia from where you can enjoy a very nice view over Southern Estonia. After a dinner at a local restaurant we make our way back to Tartu. The price of EUR 150,- per person includes:
- Bus travel as described above
- Visit to Ilumetsa impact crater site
- Entrance fee and guided tour at Piusa cave
- Entrance fee, guided tour and 2-course lunch at Värska open air museum
- Entrance fee and guided tour to Vastsilinna castle
- Visit to Münamägi and climb on viewing tower
- 3-course dinner at local restaurant
Minimum number of participants is 25 persons. In case of too few applications the tour is cancelled and participants will be allowed to choose another tour or obtain a refund.
Go North
If you are interested in the Ice Age, Estonian mythology, popular culture and also have a culinary liking, this is a tour for you. We head off to the Äski Ice Age Centre where we have a guided tour. From there our journey continues through landscapes created by the glaciation to the Kalevipoeg museum, where we get to know the giant hero of Estonian folk tales. From there we continue for lunch at ta local pub. Thereafter we go to Old Believer's museum and the Peipisimaa cultural centre. There we visit the chicory museum and sample some onion cakes and sweet tarts as well as chicory and rea coffee and tea. After that we continue to the Alatskivi manor house where we have a guided tour and a dinner at the castle restaurant with specialities from the Peipsi lake area. After dinner we return to Tartu. The price of EUR 150,- per person includes
- Bus travel as described above
- Entrance fee to Kalevipoeg centre
- Entrance fee to Ice Age Centre and guided tour
- Lunch at local pub (2-course)
- Entrance fee to Peipsimaa cultural centre and coffee break with local cakes
- Entrance fee to Alatskivi manor house and guided tour
- Entrance fee to Old Believer’s museum
- 3-course dinner at Alatskivi Castle restaurant with special dishes from the region
Minimum number of participants is 25 persons. In case of too few applications the tour is cancelled and participants will be allowed to choose another tour or obtain a refund.
Go West
For people interested in the history of Estonia, its nature and also visit a picturesque town and the modern Tartu observatory, we can offer a nice trip. We head off at 08:30 first to a crafts centre and then to the picturesque town of Viljandi with its ancient houses and cobbled streets. Herre we have a walk around in the town, visit the ruins of the castle of the Teutonic Order, the old water tower (with a very nice view) and an art gallery. After lunch at a traditional restaurant in the Old Town we make our way to manor house where we have a guided tour. Thereafter we visit the aquarium and museum at the Vörtsjärv lake. From there we continue to Tõravere observatory for a guided tour. We then have a dinner with fresh trouts at the Forell restaurant (vegetarian and vegan alternatives will be provided). After dinner we return to Tartu. The price EUR 125,- per person includes
- Bus travel as described above
- Entrance fee to Viljandi water tower
- Visit to Teutonic Castle
- 2-course lunch at Viljandi
- Guided tour and visit to Võrts järv aquarium and nature centre
- Guided tour at Toravere observatory
- Dinner at Forell restaurant
Minimum number of participants is 25 persons. In case of too few applications the tour is cancelled and participants will be allowed to choose another tour or obtain a refund.
Go East
Sometimes, battling proposal deadlines and after 2 dense days of BEACON, you might just want to relax a day, There is an ideal tour for you. We take the boat from Tartu harbour down Emajogi and over Peipsi like to the old monastery island of Piirisaare. We can visit the unique settlement of the Old Believers and the church on the island. After the visit we return by boat to Tartu. People can enjoy the change of landscape from a river cruise to the crossing over Lake Peipus (Europe's 4th largest lake after Ladoga, Onega and Vänern). The following items are included in the price of EUR 75,-.
- Boat trip to Piirisaar and back (return partly by bus)
- Packed lunch
- Guided walk on Piirisaar
Minimum number of participants is 50 persons. In case of too few applications the tour is cancelled and participants will be allowed to choose another tour or obtain a refund.
Afternoon Walk Through Tartu
On Saturday 29th 14:00 we will organise a guided walk in Tartu with a visit to the Old Observatory which once housed the most powerful telescope in the world. The price of the walk is EUR 25,. and includes
- Guided tour through Tartu with a visit to Toompeä hill, Old town, Old City square, St. John’s church, University area and the Botanical Garden (in case of fine weather)
- Guided visit to the Old Observatory
Conference Dinner
The conference dinner will be on Saturday 29th May 19:30 at Püssirohukelder, the “restaurant with the highest ceiling”. The price for the meal will be EUR 50,- and will include:
- 3-course meal with special Estonian dishes
- Vichy mineral water
- Tea or coffee
- Drinks can be ordered at own expenses
A six-day's after-conference outing across Estonia's islands and coast
As a special treat for conference visitors, accompanying persons and their families we offer you a special treat in form of an after-confeence excursion; It will include visits to the island of Saaremaa (Kaali impact crater, Kuressaare bishop castle, Angla Windmill, old churches, and Ordovician fossil sites), Hiiumaa (Kärdla crater, light house and Suuremõisa manor houses), Haapsalu (a one-time fashionable spa city, Coastal Swede museum), and Tallinn (open-air museum, free time and an Old Town walk). An ideal way to combine your conference attendance with a holiday in Estonia. Accompanying persons are also welcome! Nevertheless, we have to reserve the right to cancel the outing if less than 25 persons register for it.
Tartu to Kuressaare, via Viljandi
Depart Tartu at 08:00 for Viljandi, with its ancient houses and cobbled streets — a walk through town vith a visit to the ruins of the Teutonic Order's castle, the old water tower, and an art gallery (all included in the price), followed by lunch in the Old Town (included). We continue via Pärnu to Kuivastu for the ferry to Saaremaa, arriving in Kuressaare for check-in and a Saaremaa dinner at the Veski windmill restaurant (included). We will stay overnight at the Georg Ots Spa Hotel****.
ViljandiVeski windmill restaurantFossils, the Kaali crater, and Kuressaare castle
Out to the Oressaare cliffs, an important fossil site, then on to the Kaali crater — recently dated by EAI members — for a visit to the crater and museum (included) , with lunch (included). From there, we go to Kaarma church (included) and an ice-cream stop at Saksa Talupood, before returning to Kuressaare for a castle visit and a luscious medieval dinner "Bishop's feast" with entertainment by actors and music.
Kaali craterKuressaare castleAngla, Panga cliffs, and a farmhouse dinner
We set of for the medieval church at Angla (included), then a short drive to the Angla windmills for a visit and lunch (. On along Saaremaa's north shore with a visit to a mustard farm to the Panga cliffs for some fossil hunting, before a dinner at a local restaurant.
Panga cliffsAngla windmillsOn to Hiiumaa, via the Kärdla crater
We set off to catch the Ferry from Triigi to Sõru on the island of Hiiumaa. Then we go in to the crater wall of the Kärdla crater until we reach fror the seaside town of Kärdla ( with possibility for lunch and a sea dip, if possible). Then we go on a visit to the Baroque Suuremõisa castle, before the ferry across to the seaside resort of Haapsalu. After dinner we stay at the Fra Mare Hotel***
Suuremõisa castleKärdlaHaapsalu, then on to Tallinn
A morning exploring Haapsalu's Old Town and castle, with a visit to the Museum of the local Swedish population and some free time. After lunch, on to Tallinn for a guided tour of the Estonian Open Air Museum — one of the best of its kind in Europe — followed by a traditional Estonian dinner att the museum tavern. We will stay overnight at the Meriton Spa Hotel****, close to the Old Town
HaapsaluEstonian Open Air MuseumTallinn Old Town, and a Hanseatic close
A guided morning tour through Tallinn's Old Town, then a free afternoon to explore on your own. The trip concludes with a luscious "Hanseatic dinner" at Olde Hansa restaurant. Havre only a light lunch and be sure you are hungry!
Tallinn Old TownOlde Hansa restaurantDeparture
Breakfast at the Meriton hotel, and departure.
The excsion fee is EUR 950,- per person in shared double room. Supplement fir single room is EUR 200,- The following items are included in the excursion fee:
- Bus travel according to programme
- All lunches (apart from June 3rd) and dinners according to programme (from lunch on 31 May to dinner on 5 JUne)
- Ferry to Saaremaa, Hiumaa and back
- Accommodation in ****-hotels according to your choice (single or double room occupation)
- Guided tour at Viljandi and entrance to water tower
- Visit to Kaali crater, entrance to museum and lunch
- Visit to Mustijala mustard farm
- Entrance and guided tour at Kuressaare castle and "Bishop's dinner" with music and entertainment
- Entrance to Angla church, Angla windmills with guided tours and lunch
- Entrance to Suuremoisa manor farm and Hiumaa lighthouse.
- Entrance to Coastal Swedes' museum and guided tour.
- Entrance to Estonian Open air museum, guided tour and dinner at the historic museum tavern.
- "Merchant dinner" at Hansa medieval restaurant
All programmes are subject to unforeseen changes, which will be announced as soon as possible.