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Cascais is a land of fishermen, but also of philosophers. From 13 to 28 June, the town will once again host Espanto – the International Philosophy Festival, which returns for a second edition dedicated to the theme of desire. After a first edition centred on fear, the festival aims to continue taking philosophy out of its academic setting and bringing it closer to everyday life, through debates, performances, workshops, informal encounters and one-to-one meetings with specialists, as well as walks.
One of this year’s new features is “Espanto Off”, a parallel programme that will enable more personal debate. Between 25 and 28 June, the public will be able to book free meetings with some of the guest philosophers, in small groups of up to three people. The initiative emerged after several participants in the first edition asked for more time and closer contact with the speakers. The meetings will take place in different spaces within the Cidadela of Cascais and will require prior registration on the festival’s website, where participants can suggest topics or questions they would like to discuss.
Cascais, the home of philosophy
The official presentation took place on Wednesday, 7 May, at the Centro Cultural de Cascais, formerly the Convent of Nossa Senhora da Piedade, one of the country’s first philosophy schools in the 16th century. “If anyone had doubts about why Cascais is hosting the country’s first international philosophy festival, I think those doubts are now answered,” said Catarina Barosa, festival founder and president of the Espanto Association, during the event.
Alongside Salvato Teles de Menezes, president of the D. Luís I Foundation, and Nuno Piteira Lopes, president of Cascais City Council, Catarina Barosa presented a programme that brings together thought, art, science and community participation. “Desire runs through individual existence, but also through major collective dynamics,” she explained.
During the presentation, Piteira Lopes underlined the ambition to turn Cascais into “the home of philosophy” and a space dedicated to debate and critical thinking. “Philosophy is reality. It is about thinking, dialogue, and stepping outside oneself to meet the other,” said the mayor. “We want a society with more critical spirit, more freedom and more responsibility.”
This year’s programme brings together philosophers, writers, researchers and artists from Portugal and abroad. Confirmed names include philosopher and sociologist Didier Eribon, writer and feminist theorist Minna Salami, philosopher Richard Shusterman, essayist Gilles Lipovetsky, writer Gonçalo M. Tavares, and philosopher Viriato Soromenho-Marques, who is this year’s honouree.
Also taking part are Nick Willing, son of Paula Rego, researcher Samantha Rose Hill, philosopher Maria Luísa Ribeiro Ferreira, writer and professor Onésimo Teotónio Almeida, columnist Madalena Sá Fernandes, and journalist Anabela Mota Ribeiro, among many others.
The festival opens on 13 and 14 June with philosophical volunteering activities in social housing neighbourhoods in Cascais and philosophy workshops for children. The official opening takes place on 25 June with the In Vino Veritas dinner at Conversas da Gandarinha, featuring a conversation between Gonçalo M. Tavares and Viriato Soromenho-Marques, moderated by philosopher Manuel Curado.
Between 26 and 28 June, the programme is concentrated mainly at the Centro Cultural de Cascais, the Cidadela and the Casa das Histórias Paula Rego. Activities will include philosophy lectures, debates, live-recorded podcasts, philosophical walks, workshops for children and the “Night of Desires” at the Cidadela’s Sala da Cisterna, combining conversation, music and poetry.
The organisation will also strengthen the project’s digital presence through the podcast “O Princípio da Inquietação”, already available on Impresa platforms, whose first guest is journalist and writer Rodrigo Guedes de Carvalho.
The full programme of Espanto – International Philosophy Festival is available on the official website.
Various venues (Cascais). 13–28 Jun. €13.50–€95