Special lectures form the centrepiece of every EAES Annual Congress. At the 34th International EAES Congress in Athens (23–26 June 2026), three plenary sessions will run with no parallel programming, ensuring that every delegate can attend: the Jacques Périssat Lecture, the Presidential Lecture and the Sir Alfred Cuschieri Technology Lecture.
Each lecture brings a leading international voice to the main stage, combining clinical mastery, strategic vision and technological innovation. Named in honour of pioneers who helped shape minimally invasive surgery, these sessions look both back at our heritage and forward to the techniques, technologies and ideas that will define the years to come. They are designed to inspire reflection, spark discussion and set the tone for the rest of the congress.
Wednesday 24th June 2026, 12:00 – 12:20 hrs
Jacques Périssat lecture
A. Trianti
Surgery in a different light – Alexander Vahrmeijer (The Netherlands)
Thursday 25th June 2026, 12:00 – 12:20 hrs
Presidential lecture
A. Trianti
Surgery 2035: Beyond the scalpel – Nicole Bouvy (The Netherlands)
Thursday 25th June 2026, 14:10 – 14:30 hrs
Sir Alfred Cuschieri Technology lecture
A. Trianti
From laparoscopy, robotic surgery and NOTES to Augmented Reality in general surgery – lessons learned from a journey of innovation – Santiago Horgan (USA)
