Espanto - First International Philosophy Festival in Portugal

From June 19th to 22nd, Cascais will host the first International Philosophy Festival in Portugal – “Espanto”. Through lectures, debates, artistic presentations and various other activities, this event aims to be a space for reflection and discovery, where Philosophy intersects with real life and becomes a collective experience.

Philosophers, thinkers and experts from different countries will explore the theme of this first edition: the fear – an invisible force that can paralyze but also transform. The “Espanto” objective is to encourage reflection on how fear influences both society and individual lives, promoting critical thinking and awareness of the challenges of contemporary times. With a diverse program, the festival aims to make Philosophy accessible to a broad audience, from ages 8 to 80. There will be dedicated Philosophy sessions for children and young people.

Confirmed speakers include Peter Sloterdijk, Donatella Di Cesare, Bernat Castany Prado, Daniel Innerarity, Gilles Lipovetsky, Michel Eltchaninoff, Samantha Rose Hill, and Sebastian Sunday Grève. At the national level, the stage will welcome António de Castro Caeiro, Manuel Curado, Marta Faustino, Arlindo Oliveira, Joana Bértholo, Artur Ribeiro, Beatriz Batarda, Carlos Fiolhais, Edson Athayde, Joana Rita Sousa, Luísa Lopes, and David Erlich.

Activities will take place across 6 places in Cascais, Lisbon, carefully selected to ensure an inclusive and interdisciplinary approach, combining different fields of knowledge and offering the participants immersive experience.

On June 19th and 20th, sessions will be held in 3 different social housing areas, selected by the city council. In each neighborhood, 2 philosophers will share their perspectives on the festival’s theme and engage in dialogue with the local community. Each session will last approximately 2 hours and include a moderator, ending with a performance by a local artist.

Also, on June 20th, at 7:30 PM, the “In Vino Veritas” dinner will take place at the restaurant Conversas da Gandarinha. This exclusive and intimate event will gather the festival’s main partners, philosophers, curators, speakers, thinkers, and all those who have a premium ticket to mark the official opening of the festival.

Inspired by the work of Danish philosopher Kierkegaard, this moment aims to put into practice one of Philosophy’s great challenges – the pursuit of truth. During dinner, there will be a special talk by a guest philosopher, with the possibility for attendees to participate. The atmosphere will be enriched by artistic performances, creating a space for socializing and the exchange of ideas.

On the following day, the auditorium of the Casa das Histórias Paula Rego will host a series of lectures, debates, conferences and dialogues offering an in-depth yet accessible and non-academic exploration of the theme of “fear”.

Meanwhile, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, the museum’s gardens will be transformed into Agoras – small circular stages surrounded by chairs where the audience can engage directly with the speakers. Some Agoras will be dedicated to younger and child audiences, promoting intergenerational dialogue.

It will be in one of these agoras that the winners of the speech contest, held under the theme of “fear,” will have the opportunity to share their thoughts. These spaces will also invite the public to interact with philosophers, who will take part in conversations and Q&A sessions. A total of 5 agoras are planned, offering free activities throughout the day on the 21st.

The festival will conclude with 2 major events: the Aulas Magnas, to be held at the Amphitheatre of Marechal Carmona Park on June 21st from 9:30 PM to 11:00 PM and on June 22nd from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, 2 speakers will each present their reflections on the central theme, followed by an interview conducted by a notable public figure.

The final Aula Magna will officially close the festival with a tribute to a prominent figure in the world of thought.

Tickets for the festival are already available, with special early bird prices until April 30th. There are 2 types of tickets: General (€38), which grants access to activities at Marechal Carmona Park and Casa das Histórias Paula Rego, and Premium (€166), which includes access to all activities with a reserved seat at “In Vino Veritas” dinner. Some activities, such as the Aulas Magnas and evening sessions, are free but require prior registration. Starting May 1st, students will be able to purchase tickets with a 15% discount.

With the “Espanto” Festival, Cascais reinforces this commitment to promoting culture and critical thinking, by organizing an event that challenges conventions and invites the public to question and better understand the world around them.

More information about the program and ticket purchasing here.

Other links:

• Espanto Program – International Philosophy Festival;
• Registration for free sessions;
• Ticketline;
• Become a speaker.