Braga gears up to become Portugal's Cultural Capital
Concerts by Mariza, Iolanda, and Dino D’Santiago, along with various cultural activities, will mark the launch of Braga 25 - Portuguese Capital of Culture on January 25.
What?
Braga will launch its year as the Portuguese Capital of Culture on January 25, 2025, with a dynamic and diverse cultural program.
The opening day will feature a series of high-profile events, including concerts by renowned artists Mariza, Iolanda, and Dino D’Santiago, as well as a spectacular drone show over the city.
The festivities will kick off with a multidisciplinary performance titled “Abre a tua Porta,” curated by John Romão and hosted by actress Margarida Vila-Nova.
This event will bring together 210 artists across three stages on Avenida Central, featuring a blend of traditional folklore, breakdance, and percussion groups such as Bomboémia and Batalá Braga.
The evening will culminate with the much-anticipated concerts and a drone display lighting up the Braga sky.
A Bold Cultural Agenda
At a press conference held at Theatro Circo, Braga Mayor Ricardo Rio and event coordinator Joana Fernandes unveiled the first-quarter program.
Highlights include the first Portuguese exhibition by American art curator Kim Gordon and cultural installations in city kiosks and urban transport.
The initiative involves 180 local partners, 50 national collaborators, and 40 international contributors.
Emphasizing cultural decentralization, the program spans all 37 parishes in the municipality.
Signature events include the Braga em Risco illustration festival, featuring 12 international artists, and the Convergências festival, which bridges Portuguese and Galician artists in music, dance, theater, and cinema.
A Platform for Local and Global Talent
Key performances during the first months of Braga’25 include:
Music: Mão Morta, Sérgio Godinho & Os Assessores, Six Organs of Admittance & Norberto Lobo, Panda Bear, and tributes to Carlos Paredes and Steve Reich.
Dance: Vera Mantero and Allison Orr’s choreographies.
Theater: Tiago Rodrigues’ plays No Yogurt for the Dead and By Heart, and Mário Coelho’s When I Die, I’ll Make Movies in Hell!
Partnerships with institutions such as the National Theater Dona Maria II, the National Ballet Company, and the Serralves Foundation further elevate Braga’s cultural offerings.
Ambitious Goals and Investment
With a budget of €13.5 million, Braga’25 aims to position the city as a national and international cultural hub. Mayor Ricardo Rio noted the city’s commitment to increasing its cultural budget to 8% of municipal spending by 2027.
"Braga’25 is a reflection of our ambition to open the city even further to culture, fostering participation from local agents and bringing in great national and international artists," said Rio.
The program also includes global names like pianist Maria João Pires, choreographers Meg Stuart and Francisco Camacho, and architect Manuel Bouzas, curating Spain's exhibit at the next Venice Biennale.
Check out the full program for the first quarter here.