The Évora_27 programme for 2026 is conceived as a preparatory phase for the central year of Évora_27 — European Capital of Culture. Structured around the concept of Slowness, a theme deeply rooted in Alentejo culture, this programme values time, the relationship with the territory, and artistic creation in dialogue with local communities.

As the European dimension is one of the core principles of the European Capitals of Culture, the 2026 programme offers a wide range of national and international initiatives, embracing interdisciplinary exchanges across various artistic fields, from the performing arts and critical thinking to the promotion of cultural heritage, visual arts, and architecture.

In addition to artistic projects, the programme includes community-based initiatives and activities connected to the territory, as well as strategic programmes that foster reflection, participation, and capacity building within the cultural sector. Among these, the initiative “We Understand Each Other Best Around the Table” stands out, bringing together at the same table the artists participating in the Évora_27 programme and the communities of all municipalities in Central Alentejo, as well as the region’s main cities.

Consult the full document to discover all the initiatives planned for 2026: CLICK HERE

There is a time that will define the São João Fair.

20:27 is the Hour of Vagar.

From 23 June to 5 July, every day, we have a daily gathering at the Bandstand in Évora’s Public Garden.

Programme – every day at 20:27, at the Bandstand in the Public Garden of the Palace of D. Manuel

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR'S NOTE:

"Évora_27 returns to the Feira de São João with two meeting points that celebrate memory, heritage, and contemporary creation.

Next to the Jardim das Laranjeiras, our stand features a photography exhibition, an ideas wall dedicated to young people, traditional games, and a memory collection point, where visitors can digitise old photographs to be included in a future exhibition. It is an invitation to intergenerational exchange, the collective preservation of Alentejo’s memories, and radical imagination.

At the coreto of the Jardim Público, every day of the fair at exactly 20:27, we present the 20:27 cycle: a daily programme of music, poetry, and circus that crosses Alentejo, Portuguese, and international styles and languages. Rooted in cante alentejano and the viola campaniça, the cycle moves between tradition and innovation, showcasing both expressions of intangible heritage (cante, viola campaniça, anecdotes) and the renewed voices of young artists and collaborations promoted by Évora_27.

The programme includes cante concerts by Cantares d’Évora, Granjarte, and Grupo Coral de Viana do Alentejo; a unique collaborative recital between poet Alice Neto de Sousa and Évora-based drummer Xinês; intercultural concerts (La Familia Gitana & António Poppe present a dialogue between Romani music and the poetry of Camões; Fazel Sapand, Luciana Costa & Mili Vizcaíno bring together Alentejo, Afghan, and Spanish musical identities); the viola campaniça in both traditional and original repertoires (Pedro Mestre, Tozé Bexiga, and Guilherme Faísco; Maria Reis, recipient of the SPA Authors Award, combines the urgency of rock with the textures of the campaniça); the virtuosic and innovative playing of Marta Pereira da Costa on the Portuguese guitar; Filipe Sambado with an ode to Alentejo’s vagar; electronic fusions with traditional musical heritage (Helena Caldeira from Montemor-o-Novo with Surma; the collective Madraça; Laz Hay with musicians from Filarmónica Liberalitas Julia); the contemporary circus of João Pataco from Estremoz with “Monstrum”; as well as a gathering dedicated to Alentejo anecdotes organised by the Associação de Escritores do Alentejo.

The Feira de São João is a space where cultures and communities come together. Here, Évora_27 reaffirms its mission by promoting participation, diverse languages and voices, valuing heritage while creating space for experimentation.

Come and share memories and ideas, listen, laugh, talk, and take part in this celebration of Alentejo in dialogue with the world!"

John Romão
Artistic Director of Évora_27

_{23 JUNE (TUESDAY)}

CANTE ALENTEJANO
Cantares d’Évora (Évora), Granjarte – Women's Alentejo Singing Group of Granja (Mourão), and the Choral and Ethnographic Group of Viana do Alentejo
Concert

_{24 JUNE (WEDNESDAY)}

ALICE NETO DE SOUSA WITH XINÊS
Poetry recital with drums

_{25 JUNE (THURSDAY)}

LA FAMILIA GITANA AND ANTÓNIO POPPE
Concert

_{26 JUNE (FRIDAY)}

VIOLAS CAMPANIÇAS
Pedro Mestre, Tozé Bexiga, Guilherme Faísco
Concert

_{27 JUNE (SATURDAY)}

MARTA PEREIRA DA COSTA
Concert

_{28 JUNE (SUNDAY)}

LAUGHING AT A SLOW PACE
Gathering of Alentejo anecdotes and humour

_{29 JUNE (MONDAY)}

MARIA REIS
Concert

_{30 JUNE (TUESDAY)}

HELENA CALDEIRA WITH SURMA
Concert

_{1 JULY (WEDNESDAY)}

LAZ HAY WITH MUSICIANS FROM ASS. FILARMÓNICA LIBERITAS JULIA
Concert

_{2 JULY (THURSDAY)}

JOÃO PATACO, “MONSTRUM”
Circus

_{3 JULY (FRIDAY)}

FAZEL SAPAND, LUCIANA COSTA AND MILI VIZCAÍNO
Fazel Sapand (voice, rubab, harmonium), Luciana Costa (viola campaniça, percussion), and Mili Vizcaíno (voice and percussion)
Concert

_{4 JULY (SATURDAY)}

FILIPE SAMBADO
Concert

_{5 JULY (SUNDAY)}

MADRAÇA
Concert