Denmark, known worldwide as a nation of great design, hosts its official design festival, 3daysofdesign, in Copenhagen from the 10th to the 12th of May.

Since its founding in 2013, 3daysofdesign has expanded from a festival with 4 brands to an event with over 400 international exhibitors. Described as “a festival for dreamers, doers and the design curious,” 3daysofdesign is a community-driven festival fostering creative ideas and a shared passion for design, in arenas spanning from alternative and experimental to contemporary and iconic classics.

As festival officials describe it, “Designers from Tokyo to Porto head to Copenhagen to rethink what a design fair can be, with thoughtful collaborations and intimate, idea-led showcases.”

Representing Portuguese Design

This year, Portugal brings its unique design identity to Copenhagen, presenting Momentum, “an immersive exhibition of contemporary design shaped by heritage, craftsmanship and sustainability.” It is promoted by AICEP, Portuguese Trade & Investment Agency, under the “MADE IN PORTUGAL naturally” brand.

Lisbon-based designer Miguel Soeiro curates an exhibition that explores the dynamic relationship between tradition and innovation. Conceived as the interior of a house by the sea, Momentum unfolds as a lived-in, sensory environment. Furniture, textiles, ceramics, cork, wood and metal come together to evoke Portugal’s material culture and its deep connection to the Atlantic. Through this domestic landscape, the exhibition “reflects how design can translate cultural memory into contemporary expression.”

Bringing Momentum

Assembling 24 Portuguese designers and brands, Momentum highlights a design ecosystem where craftsmanship, industrial expertise and innovation all coexist. The exhibition has a strong focus on natural and renewable materials, in particular cork, and it engages with the broader questions of circular design and sustainability. With a growing commitment to responsible production and material awareness, Momentum aligns with international markets that value “durability, authenticity and environmental responsibility.”

For architects, designers and buyers, this exhibition gives access to a network of Portuguese design companies, while positioning Portugal as a creative partner within the European design landscape, particularly in Scandinavia.

Make This Moment Matter

In 3daysofdesign’s manifesto, the essence of design is a question meticulously explored: “Often people look to legends from the past for answers, while others look to the future. Where does the answer lie? In the present. Where the only moment that matters is now." The curiosity behind this question led to this year's theme: "Make This Moment Matter.”

The festival’s conviction is that, as consumers, the choices we make today will highly influence tomorrow. Being present is about “choosing substance over superficialities and timeless over contemporary,” and prioritising sustainable products that are mindful of our planet. It begs another question about which legacy designers want to leave behind. If there is no time like the present, design might just be the junction that unites the past with the future.

3daysofdesign is open to the public free of charge. However, certain design talks and events require booking in advance.