Lisboa Festivities 2011
In June, the month of its Patron Saints, Lisboa is celebrating. Street entertainment, concerts and shows, folk festivals are held throughout the city. In Lisboa’s historic neighborhoods, as tradition dictates, grilled sardines, “caldo verde” kale soup, bread with sausage, basil, beer, red wine, great music and entertainment are all in plentiful supply. Here are some suggestions from the vast program of festivities in the city, available at www.festasdelisboa.com | www.egeac.pt.

««« Program »»»

Opening Show
Three shows in one mark the start of celebrations in Lisboa on the night of June 1, in three areas of the city’s historic centre, Terreiro do Paço, Rua Augusta and Praça do Rossio. In a festive atmosphere, Lisboa embraces the arts in its various forms: music, dance, theatre, architecture, multimedia and performance arts, acting as host to the event.
With performance by Compañia Puja! (Argentina / Spain) Terreiro do Paço hosts Do-Do Land, an urban performance which marks the event’s first show. Do-Do Land is inspired by the world of Lewis Carroll and recreates Alice’s Wonderland in an aerial show designed for large open spaces.
The Italians Dadadang Percussion Group perform the second show of the night. Rua Augusta is dressed up as the stage for a light and sound trajectory. In a show from Terreiro do Paço to Praça do Rossio, the music and performance journey is accompanied by drummers, inviting the general public to experience different atmospheres and artistic performances.
The night ends in Praça do Rossio with an artistic show that involves spectators in a dynamic modification of public space. In this collective participation event, urban space will be covered by an aerial web, designed by the artist Donato Sartori which will envelop the audience like a mask.
June 1, from 10pm, Terreiro do Paço, Rua Augusta and Praça do Rossio (metro station: Terreiro do Paço, Baixa-Chiado, Rossio). Free admission.

Folk Marches
The Folk Parades is the highlight of the festivities and a grand celebration of Lisboa’s cultural identity.
In 2011, the Folk Parades team up with the Fado Candidature (Lisboa’s Song) to Intangible World Heritage. Fado thus provides the theme for the folk parades down Avenida da Liberdade, on the evening of June 12, St. Anthony’s Day, a city holiday. Recreational clubs and associations from each neighborhood descend Avenida da Liberdade, competing for the best parade, music, costume and choreography. At the end the parade a winner will be chosen.
Before the grand procession along Avenida da Liberdade, the participating neighborhoods give a first hand presentation of their parades in three performances held at the Atlantic Pavilion.
June 3, 4 and 5, 9.30pm, Atlantic Pavilion, Parque das Nações (metro station: Oriente). Entry 6 euros. June 12, from 9pm, Avenida de Liberdade (metro station: Marquês or Avenida). Free admission.

Folk Festivals
The popular folk festivals are one of Lisboa’s iconic pop cultures, dressing up every part of the city with the typical aromas, tastes, colours and sounds of this traditional event. Sardines with bread, “caldo verde” kale soup, St. Anthony balloons and the warm summer breeze will be the main highlights on these June nights. On the streets, music and entertainment invite everyone to join the celebrations.
From June 10 to 30, in Lisboa’s historic neighborhoods. Free admission.
Latin American Festival
A setting for different cultures and civilizations, Lisboa once again lives to the full the 2nd Latin American Festival, which celebrates the traditions of South American countries such as music, crafts, cuisine and other folk events.
June 18 & 19, 9am to 12am, 19th until 9pm, Largo Dr. José Figueiredo (next to the National Art Museum). Free admission

Arraial Pride
Celebrating its 15th edition, Arraial Pride is the leading Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) event in Portugal. This festival takes place in Terreiro do Paço and, similarly to what happens in the main European capitals, it is a celebration of diversity and equality. Forming part of the WorldPride and EuroPride calendar, this festival is open to all regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
June 25, 4pm to 4am, Terreiro do Paço (metro station: Terreiro do Paço). Free admission.

Silence Festival
Music Box is hosting another “Silence Festival”, making Lisboa the international capital of the word. Celebrating its second year, the festival is a setting designed to promote new trends and urban expressions of art in literature and its fusion with other arts.
Through spoken word shows, music, slam poetry, lectures, film poetry, documentaries, workshops, installations, performances, releases and staged readings, Silence Festival seeks to open the way for new audiences, both diverse and across borders.
From June 15 to 25 at Music Box, Rua Nova do Carvalho (metro station: Cais do Sodre) and at São Jorge Cinema, Avenida da Liberdade (metro station: Avenida). More information at www.festivalsilencio.com.

COM’PAÇO
Lisboa once again is stage for the national brass bands festival – COM’PAÇO. On this unique day, the city’s gardens and Rossio will host joint concerts and performances by participating bands with repertoires ranging from classical to popular music, providing entertainment for Lisboa’s public areas.
June 25, from 6pm, Estrela Gardens, Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcantara gardens, and Rossio Square (closing concert at 10pm). Free admission.

Fado Festival
Every year, the Fado Festival is one of the city’s most popular events, presenting new projects related to Lisboa’s song and well known talents of all generations of Fado singers and other musical genres.
Celebrating its 8th year, in addition to the concerts performed at the Praça de Armas of São Jorge Castle, with the participation of the “Lisboa Fado Ensemble” and the Fado Museum, the Fado Festival program extends to other parts of the city. São Jorge Cinema will feature a film by Diogo Varela Silva, dedicated to the work of Fernando Maurício, São Miguel Church hosts Ricardo Rocha in three Portuguese guitar recitals whilst “The Nights of Fado” are hosted at Chapitô and Fábrica do Braço de Prata.
From June 2 to 26, São Jorge Castle, Fado Museum terrace, Largo do Chafariz, São Miguel Church, Largo de Sao Miguel, São Jorge Cinema, Avenida da Liberdade, Fabrica Braco de Prata, Rua da Fábrica de Material de Guerra, 1; Chapitô, Costa do Castelo.

Program
S. Jorge Castle
June 3, 10pm Ana Moura & “Lisboa Fado Ensemble
June 4, 10pm Raquel Tavares & “Lisboa Fado Ensemble
June 10, 10pm Marco Rodrigues & Cuca Rosetta, “Lisboa Fado Ensemble
June 11, 10pm Fernando Alvim (Portuguese guitar) & Filipa Pais, Gisela John Helder Moutinho, “Lisboa Fado Ensemble
June 17, 10pm Antonio Zambujo & “Lisboa Fado Ensemble
June 18, 10pm Ana Sofia Varela & Pedro Jóia, “Lisboa Fado Ensemble
June 24, 10pm Mafalda Arnauth
June 25, 10pm Ricardo Ribeiro & “Lisboa Fado Ensemble

Fado Museum
June 5, 7pm Vanessa Alves
June 19, 7pm Filipa Cardoso
June 26, 7pm Carla Pires

Church of St. Michael
June 9, 10pm, 16 & 23, 7pm Ricardo Rocha (Portuguese guitar)

Chapitô Fado at Chapitô
June 7, 14 & 21, 10pm

Fábrica Braço de Prata Fado at Fábrica Braço de Prata
June 4,11,18 & 25, 12am

São Jorge Cinema
June 2, 10pm “The King without a Crown”, Diogo Varela Silva documentary about the life and work of Fernando Maurício.

Lisboa Festivities Closing Concert
There is no better way to end the celebrations of the city than to the sound of Lisboa’s song. The closing concert will thus be a tribute to Fado, in the year of its candidacy for Intangible Cultural Heritage. The voices of Carlos do Carmo, Cristina Branco and Mariza will be in harmony with the chords of the Metropolitan Orchestra, in a unique moment of celebration of National Heritage.
June 30, 10pm, Alameda D. Afonso Henriques (metro station: Alameda). Free admission.

“Smells Good, smells of Lisboa”
The most beautiful street in Graça neighborhood – Vila Berta – is decorated once again this year to celebrate St. Anthony’s Feast, reviving a more than 100 year old tradition! Coins on the Saint’s altar, raffles, potted basil plants and herbs are all good reasons to celebrate!
The entertainment continues until dawn to the sound of the Portuguese guitar and upbeat dance rhythms.
From June 9 to 13, 8pm, Vila Berta, Graça neighbourhood. Free admission.

Bica Attack
Bica neighbourhood will be the target of a cultural and artistic “attack”: The Bica Attack. This popular neighborhood’s shops will be invaded by theatre, music, dance, film, installations and exhibitions which will be inspired by the district’s historical origins.
June 18, Bairro da Bica. Free admission.

Ladralternativa
Originality, creativity and talent define the type of objects that can be found and bought Ladralternativa, a fair selling urban crafts, clothing and jewelry.
June 11 & 12, Mercado do Forno de Tijolo Market, Rua Maria da Fonte (metro station: Intendente). Free admission.

Tagus Marine Day
A quintissential part of Lisboa’s landscape, the Tagus river is also a way of life and work for the dwellers of the city’s and its surroundings, in daily nautical labour, whilst serving as a “road” for communicating between the two banks of the river. It is therefore increasingly important to value the heritage of the old boats of the Tagus which are now on display.
At Cais das Colunas, 66 boats will be moored providing a spectacle of rare beauty for all to admire some of the finest examples of this marine transport.
June 25, 10 am, Cais das Colunas (metro station: Terreiro do Paço).

Ferris Wheel
Next to the Tagus, a giant Ferris Wheel invites kids and adults alike to climb aboard for a tour to admire the spectacular panoramic views of Lisboa. An experience that everyone will want to repeat.
From June 10 to 26, the riverfront area Junqueira, Belem. Tickets 1 euro.

The sardine is Mine!
Sardines have been the hallmarks of the Lisboa Festivities for some time now, decorating the city with their colour and originality. This year there are 15 different stylised sardines that make up the Fesvities’ graphic image, created by the winning artists and designers of the national and international competition launched by the organization.
The exhibition “The Sardine is Mine!” brings together 300 entries selected by the jury and the result of a project that marks the history of the Lisboa Festivites’ graphic image.
From June 10 to 30, Millennium BCP Foundation – Archaeological Centre, Rua Augusta (metro station: Baixa Chiado).

Anthony – Saint of the Arts
Born in Lisbon, St. Anthony is an iconic reference of Portuguese culture and of Lisboa in particular. This cult’s influence on the different Portuguese generations and artistic movements is once again on display at the exhibition entitled “Anthony – Saint of the Arts”, organized by “A Arte da Terra”. Original works by around one hundred artists and several national museums will be exhibited at this show dedicated to the city’s patron Saint.
June 1 to 30, “A Arte na Terra” | Rua Augusto Rosa, No. 40 (near Sé Cathedral).