Évora_27 enters the final stage leading up to its official opening, scheduled for 6 February 2027, under the motto “Vagar is the thing”. This is also the title of a manifesto that will be publicly shared and invites everyone to come together, to experience and to celebrate Vagar collectively.

“Vagar is the thing” presents itself as an invitation to slow down, to actively participate and to enjoy together. Vagar, deeply rooted in Alentejo culture and a founding concept of Évora_27, is projected as a privileged way of valuing time and inhabiting space, in an intimate relationship with oneself, with others and with nature, constituting a condition for full personal development and greater social balance.

Through a national public petition, the Évora 2027 Association is promoting the collection of signatures to submit to the Members of Parliament of the Assembly of the Republic the proposal to establish a National Day of Vagar, to be celebrated annually in Portugal on 6 February, recognising Vagar as an antidote to the continuous acceleration of contemporary life rhythms, which has become a structural feature of today’s society, with evident negative impacts on mental health, individual and collective well-being, the quality of social relationships and the capacity for critical reflection. The appreciation of Vagar thus represents a contribution to a more balanced, sustainable and humanised society.

In addition to an urban art installation, to be located in Praça do Giraldo, and a stand-up comedy show by Guilherme Geirinhas, the highlight of the programme takes place at the Arena d’Évora, with the concert “Vagar is the thing”, a unique show created for the occasion, bringing together original lyrics and music and promoting unprecedented encounters between artists from different musical worlds. On stage will be Buba Espinho with João Direitinho (ÁTOA) and the Grupo Coral Infantil de Ourique; Duarte with the Cantares de Évora; Cláudia Pascoal with the Chocalheiros de Vila Verde de Ficalho and the Cantares de Évora; Valas with Tozé Bexiga [RAIA]; Mafalda Veiga with the Grupo Coral da Vidigueira; Helena Caldeira with Surma; Vozes de Abril performing songs by Luísa Sobral; and Laz Hay with the Filarmónica Liberalitas Julia, in a concert that celebrates diversity, collective creation and the spirit of Vagar.

With “Vagar is the thing”, Évora_27 reaffirms itself as a transformative cultural project, placing Vagar at the centre of debate and cultural experience, and giving prominence to a concept that runs across the entire programme.

Programme

6 FEBRUARY

11 AM - Évora City Council - Paços do Concelho
NATIONAL DAY OF VAGAR
Ceremony for the collection of the first signatures of the Public Petition for the Establishment of the National Day of Vagar.

5 PM – Praça do Giraldo

URBAN ART INSTALLATION

Praça do Giraldo

6:30 PM – Teatro Garcia de Resende

GUILHERME GEIRINHAS

Stand-up comedy show

9 PM - Arena d’Évora

CONCERT “VAGAR IS THE THING”

A special concert, with original lyrics and music

Buba Espinho + João Direitinho (ÁTOA) + Grupo Coral Infantil de Ourique Duarte + Cantares de Évora Cláudia Pascoal + Chocalheiros de Vila Verde de Ficalho + Cantares de Évora Valas + Tozé Bexiga [RAIA] Mafalda Veiga + Grupo Coral da Vidigueira Helena Caldeira + Surma Vozes de Abril sing Luísa Sobral Laz Hay + Filarmónica Liberalitas Julia

7 FEBRUARY

11 AM - Eugénio de Almeida Foundation Auditorium

CONFERENCE “BEYOND THE TITLE, WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE”

Keynote Speaker: Else Christensen-Redžepović

11:30 AM - Eugénio de Almeida Foundation Auditorium

ROUND TABLE with the participation of Representatives of the European Capitals of Culture: José Luís Arnaut (Lisbon 1994), Teresa Lago (Porto 2001), Carlos Martins (Guimarães 2012) and Bruno Fraga Braz (Director of Communication and Outreach of the Évora 2027 Association, moderator)

NOTE: All initiatives are free of charge, subject to venue capacity. Tickets at www.bol.pt.