The theme ‘Encounters’ will be celebrated in 2025, marking an inspiring convergence of diverse worlds and voices, reminding us that art truly comes alive through sharing. “We will have a vibrant program that showcases varied artistic expressions, cultural intersections, and an intimate dialogue with the city of Coimbra,” highlighted Miguel Lima, from the board of the Inês de Castro Foundation.
The QuebraJazz Arts Festival is set to occur from July 15 to 24 at Quinta das Lágrimas and will move to the Quebra Costas stairs in the heart of Coimbra from July 25 to August 30.
Under the theme “Encounters,” half of the program will be accessible free of charge, bringing together nearly two hundred artists across approximately 40 cultural events.
During the event’s press conference, artistic director Cristina Castel-Branco stated that the program will extend to the municipalities of Condeixa, Lisbon, Vila Viçosa, and Évora.
In addition to concerts, the festival will offer complementary activities, including gastronomic get-togethers, films, exhibitions, discussions, and educational services across various locations within the city.
The festival will begin on July 15 with the concert “Respeitosa Mente,” featuring the Matosinhos Jazz Orchestra, fado singer Ricardo Ribeiro, and pianist João Paulo Esteves da Silva.
On the night of July 16, an exclusive debut will bring together four musicians: João Barradas, Aaron Parks, Peter Evans, and Stéphanne Galland.
The program on July 17 will commence with a children’s show titled “Shall We Meet the Poems?” for ages six to twelve, in the Gardens of Quinta das Lágrimas, while in the evening, Selma Uamusse will perform alongside the Hot Club of Portugal Orchestra at the Colina de Camões Amphitheatre.
Classical music performances will begin on July 18 with the Cascais and Oeiras Chamber Orchestra, in a concert titled “Tchaikovsky on the Path of Mozart”, followed by two free concerts at the Colina de Camões Amphitheatre the next day.
The festival will also honor the historical ties between Japan and Portugal through a musical journey commemorating the Tensho Embassy, centering on four Japanese Christians who traveled to Europe between 1582 and 1590. This itinerant concert, conducted by Tomomi Nishimoto, will visit cities these young Japanese ambassadors traversed 440 years ago: Lisbon, at the Orient Museum on July 16; Coimbra, at São Miguel Chapel on July 19; Vila Viçosa, at Cineteatro Florbela Espanca on July 20; and Évora, at the Church of the Holy Spirit on July 21.
On July 23, the Colina de Camões Amphitheatre will host a performance celebrating the 100th anniversary of Carlos Paredes’ birth, wrapping up the program at Quinta das Lágrimas the next day with Jordi Savall, an eminent Catalan viola da gamba player, conductor, and composer specializing in early music.
The Conímbriga Ruins in Condeixa-a-Nova will host “The Cuban Piano-cello Project” concert on July 27.
From July 25 and 26 through the end of August, the Quebra Costas Stairs will feature jazz performances every Friday and Saturday: 4Vector’tet (July 25 and 26), Trio CBF (August 1 and 2), Three Dots (August 8 and 9), Eugénia Contente Trio (August 15 and 16), João Frade and João Silva (August 22 and 23), and Novo Trio (August 29 and 30).
The QuebraJazz Arts Festival receives financial support of 90,000 euros from the Coimbra City Council.
