Mendel Days 4.–5. 11. 2026
The Four Elements: Air—Earth Below, Sky Above
Mendel Days 2026 will conclude the “Four Elements” series, which in recent years has gradually explored the themes of water, earth, and fire. This year’s event will focus on the last of the four elements—air. As in previous years, the event will offer a look at Gregor Johann Mendel across the full breadth of his interests and highlight his legacy in contexts that transcend the boundaries of individual scientific disciplines.
The main theme of this year’s Mendel Days will be a lecture series titled “The Four Elements: Air—Earth Below, Sky Above.”
The element of air will be presented from various perspectives—ranging from meteorology and physics to its significance for humanity and the entire planet, and extending to the protection of the atmosphere and ecosystems. Attention will also be focused on the origin of air and the changes in its composition and quality throughout history, on the fascinating world of air currents and atmospheric phenomena, as well as on humanity and its age-old desire to fly. The lectures will explore the properties of air and its applications in modern technologies. The spiritual dimension of air as breath—which has long been associated with the essence of life—will also be highlighted.
The entire program will then culminate in a musical interpretation of the element of air.
A detailed program for Mendel Days will be published soon, and, as in previous years, it will be open to both students and the general public.
Gregor Johann Mendel
Masaryk University and its Mendel Museum are committed to the legacy of Gregor Johann Mendel, a native of Hynčice, and commemorate this vital scientist every autumn during Mendel Days. In 1843, Johann Mendel entered the Augustinian Order in the monastery in Old Brno, which was at that time the center of Moravian education, and took the religious name Gregor. Mendel was educated in the natural sciences and learned the techniques of scientific work. His experiments and research led to the scientific conclusions now known as Mendel's Laws of Heredity. Mendel thus became the founding father of one of the most important disciplines of our time - genetics.