Over four nights, more than 60 artisans from different cultures will share traditions, flavours, knowledge and artistic expressions with thousands of visitors.

Free to attend, the event is expected to attract around 50,000 people, in an environment marked by visual beauty, cultural diversity and closeness between people.

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The 2025 edition has as its theme the “World Heritage Cultural Expressions” recognized by UNESCO, highlighting representation from countries such as:

• Portugal: Fado, Falconry, Figurado de Estremoz, Cante Alentejano

• Morocco: Making Couscous, Gnawa Music

• Spain: Flamenco

• Argentina and Uruguay: Tango

• Guinea: Sosso-Bala Balafon

• Iraq: Iraqi Maqam

• Turkey: Mevlevi Sema

• Armenia: Duduk

• Ecuador and Peru: Zapara Culture

• Brazil: Samba de Roda

The Mayor of Lagoa, Luís Encarnação, highlights the importance of this event for the identity and cohesion of the local area: “Celebrating 10 years of the Mercado de Culturas… à Luz das Velas is to affirm Lagoa's commitment to culture, to dialogue between peoples and to the appreciation of the heritage of humanity. This edition, dedicated to the intangible cultural expressions recognised by UNESCO, is an invitation to reflect on what brings us together, as a global society, and an opportunity to promote peace through art, tradition and the encounter between cultures.”