International Festival of Exploration Restarts Journey, Links Lagos to Japan Again
Experience the electrifying 12th edition of the Discoveries Festival in the heart of Lagos that's brimming with a sense of adventure and fascinating history! Over five thundering days, the town embraces its roots during the Portuguese Age of Discovery, with a special focus on global exchange, particularly Japanese culture.
From late April to early May, the festival transforms Lagos into an immersive time machine. Expect a variety of events, including parades, reenactments, workshops, performances, exhibitions, and surprises galore!
Get ready to be captivated by the Historical Parade, where over 2,000 individuals in period costumes march from Avenida dos Descobrimentos to Praça do Infante, accompanied by the Ambassador of Japan and Decolar community.
Once the parade ends, the 16th Century Fair takes center stage. This majestic event breathes life into Praça do Infante and Jardim da Constituição, featuring merchants, artisans, taverns, and non-stop entertainment. In the heart of the festival, visitors are treated to historical reenactments, live shows, interactive zones, and themed experiences.
Among the various highlights, you'll witness impressive military displays with cannon fire and weapons training, family-friendly games, and riveting cavalry tournaments.lagos-discoveries-festival-japan-connection.jpg
This year, the vibrant Union of Japan plays a starring role, connecting the 16th-century Portuguese explorers to Japanese culture through immersive experiences. At Jardim da Constituição, Espaço Japão invites visitors to explore Japanese cuisine, crafts, and ancient arts. Expect demonstrations of Kyudo (Japanese archery), workshops on origami, calligraphy, furoshiki, mizuhiki, and kirigami, plus mouth-watering tastings of sushi and sweet delectables like daifuku mochi.
At night, major performances illuminate the Palco da Muralha and the Cais do Forte Ponta da Bandeira. The festival opens with the electrifying 'Circle of Fire,' showcasing fire and captivating movement. The powerful Taiko drums dominate the stage on the 2nd of May. The stunning 'Samurai Station' gives a taste of theatre, visual art, and pyrotechnics on the 3rd and 4th of May.
The festival also presents gripping guided tours that reveal the fascinating historical and geological layers of Lagos. From the Slavery Route to enlightening Forte Ponta da Bandeira and Caravela Boa Esperança visits, the tours are not to be missed.
For those who wish to delve deeper into the relationship between Portugal and Japan, the plenary conference "Portugal and Japan in the 16th-17th Centuries" will gather scholars, experts, and enthusiasts at the Cultural Centre on 3rd May to discuss the exchanges between these two captivating worlds.
Lagos Museums open their doors for free throughout the five-day event, while the charming Lagos Cinema will offer free screenings of Asia-themed films from 30th April to 2nd May.
Get ready to be swept away on an unforgettable journey-From Lagos to Japan and back again! Join in the fun and immerse yourself in a historical tapestry that will live on in your heart for a lifetime! To learn more about this incredible festival, check out the schedule and program details here.
- The Discoveries Festival in Lagos, Portugal, offers a unique blend of events, transforming the town into an immersive time machine from late April to early May.
- Among the Festival's highlights, visitors can expect a Historical Parade, 16th Century Fair, and various cultural experiences focusing on Japan.
- Espaço Japão at Jardim da Constituição showcases Japanese cuisine, crafts, and ancient arts, with workshops on Kyudo, origami, calligraphy, and more.
- The Festival also presents guided tours revealing Lagos' historical and geological layers, scholar conferences, and free screenings of Asia-themed films at Lagos Cinema.
