"The main goal is to open the doors of the institute and science as such to as broad a public as possible," Institut Jožef Stefan director Jadran Lenarčič told the press on Friday.

The festival of science will start with today's panel on the Higgs boson, which has been one of the hottest topics in basic particles physics.

A talk by Peter Suhadolc of Italy's Trieste University on the challenges of contemporary seismology is scheduled for Tuesday.

Wednesday will bring the central event, the conferring of awards for best doctorates, and a panel on science in the media.

Talks on non-equilibrium dynamics in correlated systems and the use of water as an energy source, as well as an award ceremony for young researchers are planed for Thursday and Friday.

As regards Saturday, Lenarčič explained that open house organised as part of the Jožef Stefan Days usually attracts around 1,000 visitors, which is an important share in the total of around 8,000 people who visit the institute each year.