Walk & Talk Biennial 2025 – Azores, Portugal

Background & History

Walk & Talk, founded in 2011 by Anda&Fala – Associação Cultural, is a pioneering arts festival in the Azores, evolving into its inaugural biennial format in 2025. Held from September 25 to November 30, 2025, in São Miguel, the event fosters artistic creation rooted in the archipelago’s unique cultural and geographic context. Over its 12 annual editions, it has hosted over 500 artists, curators, and creators, engaging with the Azorean territory through residencies, installations, and public programs.

The 2025 biennial, titled Gestures of Abundance, emphasizes cooperative abundance, exploring art’s role in ecological, ethical, and political dialogues. Curated by Claire Shea (Canada), Fatima Bintou Rassoul Sy (Senegal), Liliana Coutinho (Portugal), and Jesse James (Azores), it positions the Azores as a global hub for contemporary art.

Festival Highlights

• Over 80 artists from diverse regions, including Alice Visentin, Malala Andrialavidrazana, and RESOLVE Collective, are presenting exhibitions, performances, and installations.
• Free events: Excursions, talks, and select performances, such as community gatherings and listening sessions.
• Seven exhibition stations across São Miguel, showcasing site-responsive works at venues like the Carlos Machado Museum and MAGMA.
• Symposium (Nov 7–9): Discussions on art, ecology, and spirituality with artists like Candace Fujikane and Sónia Vaz Borges.
• Volunteer program: Open call for participation, details at walktalkazores.org (deadline: July 31, 2025).
• Interdisciplinary focus: Visual arts, music, architecture, and design, emphasizing Azorean identity and global connections.

Program Details

The 2025 program, themed Gestures of Abundance, runs from September 25 to November 30, with key events detailed on walktalkazores.org:

• Opening Weekend (Sep 25–28):
  • Exhibitions at seven stations: Biennial House, Municipal Cultural Center, Carlos Machado Museum, MAGMA, Vacant, Caloura Cultural Center, and Arquipélago – Contemporary Arts Center.
  • Artists: Alice Visentin, Ebun Sodipo, Helle Siljeholm, Jokkoo Collective, Meg Stuart & PACAP8, Soya the Cow, and more.
  • Performances: RESOLVE Collective, Bonaventure, Falcona, Piel Mixta.
• Symposium (Nov 7–9):
  • Talks and workshops with Apolo de Carvalho, Candice Lin, Teresa Castro, and Alys (alys)alys.
  • Focus: Shifting perceptions from scarcity to cooperative abundance.
• Closing Weekend (Nov 28–30):
  • Final performances and exhibitions by Walla Capelobo, Nadia Belerique, and Lucy Bleach.
  • Community events and excursions led by Mariana Lopes.
• Ongoing Exhibitions (Sep 25–Nov 30):
  • Ecotone by Enar de Dios Rodríguez (Biennial House).
  • Namazu by Alexa Hatanaka, Nadia Belerique, César Schofield Cardoso (Municipal Cultural Center).
  • Clarify by Malala Andrialavidrazana, Joana Sá, Jokkoo Collective, Isabel Medeiros (Carlos Machado Museum).
  • Geomancy by Sofia Rocha, Mariana Lopes (MAGMA).
  • Crystal Souls by Sofia Rocha, Silvia Mariotti, Lucy Bleach, Helle Siljeholm (Caloura Cultural Center).
  • Archipelago Portal by Alice Visentin, Walla Capelobo, Jane Jin Kaisen (Arquipélago – Contemporary Arts Center). Full schedule to be updated on walktalkazores.org by August 2025.

Date & Duration

• Dates: September 25–November 30, 2025
• Duration: 67 days
• Programme announcement: Expected August 2025 on walktalkazores.org
• Ticket sales: Available via walktalkazores.org or on-site at venues

Venues

• Biennial House: Central hub for exhibitions and events.
• Municipal Cultural Center: Hosts Namazu exhibition and performances.
• Carlos Machado Museum: Features Clarify exhibition.
• MAGMA – Non-Temporary Art: Showcases Geomancy by Sofia Rocha.
• Vacant – Space for Art and Knowledge: Displays works by RESOLVE Collective and Meg Stuart.
• Caloura Cultural Center: Presents Crystal Souls exhibition.
• Arquipélago – Contemporary Arts Center: Hosts Archipelago Portal and major performances.
• Additional sites: Natural and urban spaces across São Miguel for excursions and public actions.

Main Location Addresses

• Biennial House: Rua da Praia, 9500-022 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
• Municipal Cultural Center: Rua José do Canto, 9500-076 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
• Carlos Machado Museum: Rua do Dr. Guilherme Poças Falcão, 9500-017 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
• MAGMA – Non Temporary Art: Rua do Colégio, 9500-054 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
• Vacant – Space for Art and Knowledge: Rua dos Mercadores, 9500-150 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
• Caloura Cultural Center: Rua da Caloura, 9560-211 Água de Pau, Portugal
• Arquipélago – Contemporary Arts Center: Rua Adolfo Cabral, 9600-057 Ribeira Grande, Portugal

Contact Information

• General: info@walktalkazores.org, +351 968 913 539
• Website: walktalkazores.org
• Social media: Facebook (facebook.com/walktalkazores), Instagram (instagram.com/walktalkazores), YouTube (youtube.com/@walktalkazores)
• Ticket sales: walktalkazores.org or venue box offices (Biennial House, Municipal Cultural Center)

Ticket Information

• Individual event tickets: $5.60–$16.80 (based on €5–€15, depending on performance or exhibition)
• Festival pass: $44.80 (based on €40, access to all main exhibitions and select performances)
• Free events: Excursions, talks, and community gatherings (e.g., opening weekend events, symposium talks), subject to capacity
• Discounts: Available for under 18s, students, over 65s, and Azores residents (25% off, contact info@walktalkazores.org)
• Purchase via: walktalkazores.org (online) or on-site at Biennial House, Municipal Cultural Center, or Arquipélago – Contemporary Arts Center
• Notes: Tickets for ages 6+, wristband exchange required for paid events. Prices estimated based on past editions; check walktalkazores.org for exact pricing by August 2025.

Cultural Experience

Walk & Talk Biennial 2025 transforms São Miguel into a dynamic art hub, blending contemporary creations with the Azores’ volcanic landscapes and cultural heritage. Exhibitions like Archipelago Portal and performances by Meg Stuart explore themes of abundance and interdependence, set in historic venues like the Carlos Machado Museum.

Visitors can enjoy Azorean cuisine, such as cozido das Furnas, at local restaurants near Ponta Delgada’s waterfront. The festival’s free excursions and symposium foster community engagement, making it a cultural and ecological pilgrimage.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair access at major venues (Arquipélago, Municipal Cultural Center); limited at smaller sites like Vacant. Contact info@walktalkazores.org for details.
• Ages 6+ for all events; family-friendly activities available.
• Portuguese and English subtitles for select talks and performances.
• Auditory protection is recommended for sound-based installations.

Getting There

• Ponta Delgada Venues (Biennial House, Municipal Cultural Center, Carlos Machado Museum, MAGMA, Vacant):
  • Bus: Lines 101, 102 to Ponta Delgada Centro
  • Car: Parking available; use EN1-1A road
  • Walk: Venues within a 10-minute walk from Ponta Delgada’s center
• Caloura Cultural Center:
  • Bus