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On March 30 and April 1, Ubuntu Fest Sintra 2026 brought together more than 300 participants —including students, educators, and members of the educational community—around the theme “Dialogue—We Are in the Encounter with the Other.” Over the course of two days, the event established itself as a space for gathering, reflection, and action, where dialogue was experienced as both a practice and a commitment.
The kickoff of yet another Ubuntu Fest took place at the Olga Cadaval Cultural Center, featuring the segment “This (Is Not) a Conference, ” led by Regina Guimarães (IPAV) and Alice Macedo (Várzea de Sintra School District). The opening session was attended by Dr. Andreia Bernardo, Vice Mayor of Sintra, and Rui Nunes da Silva, President of IPAV, who highlighted the importance of creating spaces for authentic dialogue within educational communities.
The morning included various moments of reflection and expression. David Freitas, a teacher and volunteer at the NGO Na Rota dos Povos, addressed the topic “Inner Dialogue as a Path to Others, ” emphasizing the importance of self-knowledge as the foundation for relationships with others. This was followed by the performance “The Body Replaces Words” by Lukanu Mpasy, a performer and dancer, who explored the body as a form of communication.
The musical performance by Douglas Ogutu—known by his stage name Vema, a Kenyan singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and leader of Ubuntu in Kenya—brought an artistic dimension to the stage that strengthened the bond between cultures and people.
The discussion continued with a roundtable moderated by Patrícia Lima Leitão, a journalist and anchor for CNN Portugal, which brought together different voices from the Alto dos Moinhos School District: Marta Mourão (Ubuntu educator), Cláudia Oliveira (parent), and Leonor Soares (Ubuntu youth), for a debate on how to build healthier relationships and create genuine spaces for dialogue.
The morning also featured a musical performance by the Chamber Music Workshop, with Artemisa Teixeira (violin), Matilde Jorge (flute), Camila Carlés (clarinet), Mirela Silva (cello), and Diana Seabra (double bass). Joana Raquel, a singer, songwriter, and vocal director, brought this first segment to a close by inviting the entire audience to sing along, bringing to life the theme “In dialogue, we are one voice.”
In the afternoon, Ubuntu Fest headed out into the field for a volunteer initiative at the Adraga Ecological Park—Praia Grande, in collaboration with the Sintra City Council, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, ICNF, APA, and CCDR-LVT. Participants helped remove invasive species, transforming the Ubuntu spirit into concrete action to care for the environment.
The day ended with moments of fellowship and connection among participants, through group activities that brought together young people from different schools, followed by a festival that celebrated the community with music, food, and shared experiences.
The second day began with a visit to the Air Museum in Sintra, offering an opportunity for discovery and learning. The afternoon featured the Ubuntu Talent Show, where students and educators shared various forms of artistic expression—music, dance, theater, and poetry—in line with the festival’s theme. At the same time, recreational activities were held.
Ubuntu Fest Sintra 2026 came to a close with a strong sense of community, reinforcing the importance of dialogue as a path toward building more mindful, inclusive, and transformative relationships.
Special thanks to the Sintra City Council for all its cooperation in organizing this edition.
