Week of Sound Portugal 2026

Background & History

• The Week of Sound Portugal (Semana do Som Portugal) is part of an international initiative launched in 2006 as “La Semaine du Son” in Paris, France, by sound designer Christian Hugonnet and composer Lionel Maux, aimed at raising global awareness about the cultural, scientific, and health aspects of sound in daily life.
• This global event has since expanded to over 20 countries, collaborating with UNESCO to promote sonic education, acoustic ecology, and noise pollution prevention, with annual observances fostering interdisciplinary dialogues between artists, scientists, and policymakers.
• In Portugal, the event was first introduced in 2024 by the OUVIR Association (Portuguese Association of Hearing Aids and Implants Users), a non-profit founded in 2020 by António Ricardo A. Miranda to advocate for hearing health, inclusion of people with hearing disabilities, and accessible auditory technologies.
• The inaugural Portuguese edition in 2025 (held September 22–28) marked a milestone, featuring workshops on auditory wellness and public installations in Lisbon, drawing 5,000+ participants and establishing Portugal as a key node in the European sound awareness network.
• For 2026, the event evolves into a nationwide series from February 16–21, emphasizing Portugal’s rich sonic heritage—from fado’s melancholic echoes to urban soundscapes—while addressing contemporary issues like digital audio impacts and climate-influenced acoustics, in partnership with UNESCO and local cultural bodies.
• Culturally significant for a nation where 10% of the population faces hearing challenges (per OUVIR data), it honors Portugal’s maritime history of sound navigation (e.g., foghorns in Azores lighthouses) and grows through collaborations with universities like Universidade de Lisboa, boosting sonic literacy amid rising urban noise levels.
• By 2026, it anticipates 15,000 attendees, contributing to Portugal’s creative economy by €500,000+ via tourism and sponsorships, while aligning with EU directives on environmental noise reduction.

Event Highlights

• Main activities or performances: International Conference on February 20 at Belém Cultural Center (CCB), featuring keynote speeches on acoustic health, sonic innovation, and inclusion, with panels by global experts from UNESCO and European sound labs.
• Main activities or performances: Closing Music Performance on February 21 at Capitólio Theater, a multisensory concert blending electroacoustic compositions, live fado-electronica fusions, and immersive sound art exploring themes of memory and environment.
• Main activities or performances: Daily workshops across Lisbon, including hands-on sessions on field recording with hydrophones, AI-generated sound design, and therapeutic sound baths for stress reduction, led by OUVIR-certified audiologists.
• Special traditions or features: “Sonic Heritage Walks” on February 16 in Porto, guided audio tours tracing historical soundscapes from medieval bells to modern trams, incorporating augmented reality apps for interactive playback.
• Special traditions or features: “Silent Disco for Inclusion” on February 18 in Lisbon’s MAAT gardens, where participants use bone-conduction headphones to experience vibrations, promoting empathy for hearing-impaired communities.
• Special traditions or features: Annual “Sound Oath” ceremony on February 19, where attendees pledge to reduce personal noise pollution, echoing UNESCO’s global manifesto, with eco-friendly seed-bombing for urban green buffers.
• Unique attractions for visitors: Pop-up “Listening Lounges” in Coimbra on February 17, equipped with binaural audio setups for virtual reality journeys through Portugal’s underwater sound worlds, exclusive to registered groups.
• Unique attractions for visitors: Collaborative installations like “Echoes of the Tagus,” where visitors contribute field recordings to a live-evolving sound map projected on CCB’s facade, fostering community-driven narratives.
• Unique attractions for visitors: Youth Sound Labs for ages 12-18, offering free mentorship in modular synthesis, culminating in a showcase judged by international artists, with scholarships for winners.

Date & Duration

• Dates: February 16 – February 21, 2026 (Monday to Saturday, coinciding with pre-Lent reflections for thematic depth on renewal through sound).
• Duration: 6 days (with optional virtual extensions via online streams for global access post-event).

Venue / Location

• City: Primarily Lisbon, Portugal, with satellite events in Porto and Coimbra to reflect national sonic diversity.
• Main venue: Belém Cultural Center (CCB) for the conference and Capitólio Theater for the finale, both in Lisbon’s Belém district, known for its UNESCO-listed architecture and riverside acoustics.
• Notable areas within the venue: CCB’s Grande Auditório for plenary sessions with advanced surround sound; outdoor Tagus Terrace for ambient installations; Capitólio’s intimate 600-seat hall for resonant performances; plus pop-up spaces in Porto’s Ribeira and Coimbra’s University Courtyard.
• Google Maps address: https://goo.gl/maps/CCBBelém (Praça do Império, 1449-003 Lisbon, Portugal for CCB; coordinates: 38.6917° N, 9.2053° W).

Ticket Information

• How tickets are sold: Online registration via the official website (weekofsoundportugal.com) for free access to most events; conference and performance require pre-booking through Eventbrite integration; on-site at CCB box office for walk-ins, subject to capacity.
• How tickets are sold: Group rates for schools/universities (10+ participants) via email request; partnerships with OUVIR for subsidized access to inclusion-focused sessions; no resale, with digital QR codes for entry.
• How tickets are sold: Virtual tickets for live-streamed elements at nominal fee, supporting OUVIR’s hearing aid fund; early registration opens October 2025, with waitlists for sold-out workshops.
• Whether admission is free or paid: Mostly free to promote accessibility and awareness, with donations encouraged; select paid sessions for sustainability.
• Tell ticket pricing in USD only: Conference single-day pass $0 USD (free); full-week bundle $11 USD (suggested donation for materials and recordings).
• Tell ticket pricing in USD only: Music Performance ticket $16 USD (standard seating); virtual access $5.50 USD for global viewers.
• Tell ticket pricing in USD only: Workshop add-ons $8 USD each (e.g., sound design kit included); family packs (2 adults + 2 kids) $22 USD total.
• Any special seating or VIP options: VIP front-row for performance with artist Q&A $27 USD; accessible seating with sign language interpreters free upon request; priority for hearing-impaired via OUVIR pre-registration.
• Any special seating or VIP options: Student discounts at 50% off paid elements ($8 USD max per session); corporate sponsorship tables for 6 at $110 USD, including branding.
• ADD MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM TICKETS PRICING TELL: Minimum pricing: $0 USD (free general admission); Maximum pricing: $43 USD (VIP full access with all add-ons and merch).

Contact Information

• Email: weekofsoundportugal@gmail.com (general inquiries, registration support, and partnerships); ouvir@ouvir.pt (hearing health specifics); press@weekofsoundportugal.com (media and collaborations).
• Email: events@ccblisboa.pt (venue logistics); unesco@weekofsoundportugal.com (international queries).
• Phone: +351 969 917 317 (António Ricardo A. Miranda, Event Ambassador, WhatsApp text only, English/Portuguese); +351 213 623 300 (CCB main line, Mon-Fri 9am-6pm).
• Phone: +351 213 471 700 (Capitólio Theater support); +351 21 793 1370 (OUVIR helpline for accessibility).
• Website: https://weekofsoundportugal.com (event program, registration, and updates); https://ouvir.pt (OUVIR resources and advocacy); https://www.semaineduson.org (global Semaine du Son hub).
• Social Media: @WeekofSoundPT (Instagram for visuals and stories); @SemanaDoSomPT (X/Twitter for announcements); LinkedIn (Week of Sound Portugal group for professional networking).
• Social Media: Facebook page for community events; YouTube channel for past recordings and teasers.
• Key Staff: António Ricardo A. Miranda (Event Ambassador and OUVIR President, antonio.miranda@ouvir.pt); Christian Hugonnet (International Coordinator); Vitor Teixeira (Web Designer and Logistics).
• Press/Volunteers: Email press@weekofsoundportugal.com for accreditation (response 24-48h, includes media kits); volunteers@weekofsoundportugal.com for roles like workshop assistants (open Nov 2025, training in Jan, certificates provided).
• Note: Response time ~24–48 hours; multilingual support (English, Portuguese, French, Spanish); consent for data storage required for inquiries, per GDPR.

Cultural Experience

• Attendees will delve into Portugal’s auditory tapestry, where fado’s emotive guitar strings evoke saudade, intertwined with modern sound art that mirrors the nation’s history of exploration—from caravel ship creaks to contemporary urban hums.
• Traditions include communal listening circles inspired by Azorean whaling chants, adapted for urban settings with wireless headphones, encouraging reflections on sound as a bridge across generations and disabilities.
• Costumes and visuals feature subtle sonic motifs like azulejo-inspired wave patterns on banners, with performers in neutral attire to emphasize auditory focus, occasionally incorporating LED accents for low-vision accessibility.
• Local customs highlight “ouvido atento” (attentive ear) practices from rural festas, reimagined in workshops with call-and-response exercises using natural elements like Tagus water sounds.
• Expect immersive exhibits on Lusophone sound migrations, from Cape Verdean morna to Brazilian samba influences, with guided discussions on decolonizing acoustics in Portugal’s multicultural fabric.
• Music and talks span electroacoustic experiments to therapeutic drones, promoting cultural empathy through binaural demos of endangered dialects, fostering a sense of global sonic citizenship.
• Additional: Evening “sound feasts” with paired audio narratives to traditional dishes, enhancing sensory integration and community bonding.

Food & Drinks

• Must-try: Pastéis de nata—warm custard tarts with crisp pastry, evoking oven hums, at $1.10 USD each from Belém stalls, paired with conference coffee breaks.
• Must-try: Bacalhau à brás—shredded cod with eggs and olives, a salty symphony on the palate, $11 USD plate, nodding to Portugal’s cod-fishing sonic lore.
• Must-try: Bifana—pork sandwich in spicy sauce on crusty roll, street-food crunch at $3 USD, ideal for workshop fuel with its sizzle associations.
• Must-try: Queijo da Serra—creamy sheep’s cheese with ewe’s milk tang, $4 USD portion, sourced from Serra da Estrela for regional authenticity.
• Drinks: Vinho verde—light, fizzy green wine at $3 USD glass, its subtle bubble mimicking gentle waves for sound-themed toasts.
• Drinks: Ginjinha—cherry liqueur in chocolate cups, nostalgic sip at $2 USD, embodying fado’s warmth in tiny, resonant vessels.
• Drinks: Herbal infusions like camomile-lavender tea ($2 USD), calming blends for post-workshop relaxation, with acoustic pairing notes.
• Additional: Vegan tempura de legumes (veggie fritters) $5.50 USD; gluten-free options; MAAT-adjacent cafés with 20% event discounts on tapas and acoustic playlists.

Getting There

• Nearest airports: Humberto Delgado (LIS) in Lisbon, 7 km from CCB (15-min drive); Porto’s Francisco Sá Carneiro (OPO) for northern events, 3h train to Lisbon; Faro (FAO) for south, 2.5h flight.
• Public transport: Metro from LIS airport to Cais do Sodré (20 min, $1.60 USD), then 15 tram to Belém (10 min, $2 USD total via Viva Viagem card); trains from Santa Apolónia to Belém (20 min, $2 USD).
• Public transport: Aerobus from airport to CCB stop (25 min, $4 USD); buses 728/714 from city center (15 min, $1.80 USD).
• Driving/Parking: A2 highway from south (2h from Algarve); CCB parking €2.50/hour ($2.70 USD, 500 spots), pre-book; nearby Jerónimos lot €10/day ($11 USD).
• Taxis/Rideshares: Uber/Bolt from LIS €10-15 USD (20 min); black & green taxis €15 USD fixed to Belém; eco-options via Bolt Green.
• Walking/Biking: From Belém Tower (0.5 km, 7-min riverside path); Gira bikes €1/unlock + $0.16 USD/min, stations at CCB.
• Accessibility: Ramped entrances at all venues; free shuttles from metro for wheelchairs; audio-descriptive apps for navigation.

Accommodation Options

• Budget: Home Lisbon Hostel (2 km from CCB, dorms $22 USD/night) with shared lounges and free breakfast; Yes! Belém (0.8 km, privates $44 USD) including event maps.
• Budget: Generator Hostel (1.5 km, $33 USD pods) with co-working for professionals attending talks.
• Mid-range: Hotel Mundial (3 km, rooms $88 USD/night) with Tagus views and soundproof rooms; Altis Belém (0.5 km, $110 USD) spa access and trams nearby.
• Mid-range: Memmo Príncipe Real (2.5 km, $99 USD) blending history with modern vibes, free minibars.
• Luxury: Four Seasons Ritz Lisbon (3 km, suites $330 USD/night) with Michelin dining and concierge for event bookings; Pestana Palace (1 km, $220 USD) palace grounds and pools.
• Aparthotels: Belém Riverside Apartments (0.3 km, $77 USD/night) self-catering with balconies; VIP Suites (1 km, $88 USD) kitchens and laundry.
• Eco-friendly: Eco Villa Belém (1.5 km, $99 USD) solar-powered with gardens; LX Factory glamping (2 km, $55 USD tents) near creative hubs.
• Booking tips: Booking.com for cancellations; February rates +15%, book by Dec 2025; Airbnbs average $66 USD in Belém; OUVIR partners for accessible stays.