Programme
The first route of the museum ship will be the Mediterranean, an area of millennia of history and exchange, which has always mobilized and nourished the inspiration of artists, and naturally invites intercultural dialogue.
Discover the programme of activities on the quayside and in the towns: performances, concerts, conferences, screenings, workshops, meetings and other events.
Upcoming events

Kimi Djabaté
As a heir to the Mandinka griot tradition, Kimi Djabaté places the balafon at the heart of his music, alongside the kora, guitar, percussion, and vocals. Based in Portugal, he weaves West African traditions together with jazz, blues, fado, and bossa nova, creating a soundscape that is both deeply rooted and resolutely contemporary. Sung in Mandinka, Creole, and Portuguese, his songs carry a message of social commitment: the defense of women’s rights, a call for peace, and a celebration of tolerance and intercultural dialogue. <span>Concert curated by Alain Weber. </span>

Lizatron
In a DJ set guided by her restless digger’s instinct, Lizatron crafts sonic journeys that move across genres, eras, and geographies, unveiling rare finds, textures, and unexpected atmospheres. Her selection—both precise and intuitive—shapes an immersive flow between the experimental and the danceable. The experience is expanded by a video projection of an original drawing by JAS, engaging in a sensory dialogue with the sound.

Lula Pena
Lula Pena is one of the most singular voices in contemporary Portuguese music. Blending folk traditions, improvisation and poetic storytelling, her performances unfold as intimate and unpredictable journeys between geographies, memories and languages.

Mike El Nite – Magic Karaoke
An interactive karaoke hosted by Mike El Nite, where the audience becomes the performer. Combining DJ set and live participation, this event creates a lively and playful atmosphere.

Children's Ground, Madalena Victorino
This performance was born from a grandmother’s wish to explain her work as a choreographer to her grandchildren, who became co-creators of something that did not yet exist. With musicians, performers and a set designer, Chão de Meninos emerged: a small land in Sintra where snow laughs, bears play and garden-carpets bloom. A dance and music piece celebrating the strength, laughter and delicacy of children. Production: Lavrar o Mar.

Workshop Mastro Sol, in preparation of Mastro Sol, Maja Escher
In this workshop, each participant shapes and creates their own edible form (biscuit-flag) made from biscuit dough that will be suspended as part of Mastro Sol, an installation inspired by vernacular celebrations and the mastros de promessa of the Alentejo region, where circular cakes are traditionally suspended on festive structures. Each form preserves the gesture and intention of the person who made it, becoming part of a collective artwork shaped by many hands. On June 27 at 11:30 am, when Mastro Sol is activated by the public, participants are invited to rediscover their own flag, see how it became part of the final installation, and harvest it to share, offer, or eat.

Caravanserá Workshop
Before the performance (on June 27th), audiences are invited to take part in a participatory workshop where movement, sound, and collective actions gradually shape the world of Caravanserá. Inspired by historical “caravanserais” – places of encounter and exchange –, the workshop creates an informal space where participants of different ages contribute to the atmosphere of the performance, blurring the boundaries between audience and performers.

Mastro Sol
In this workshop, each participant shapes and creates their own edible form (biscuit-flag) made from biscuit dough that will be suspended as part of Mastro Sol, an installation inspired by vernacular celebrations and the mastros de promessa of the Alentejo region, where circular cakes are traditionally suspended on festive structures. Each form preserves the gesture and intention of the person who made it, becoming part of a collective artwork shaped by many hands. On June 27 at 11:30 am, when Mastro Sol is activated by the public, participants are invited to rediscover their own flag, see how it became part of the final installation, and harvest it to share, offer, or eat.

Caravanserá
A participatory performance combining dance, music and procession. Inspired by the work of Maria José Ciríaco, Caravanserá invites audiences to join a collective and festive experience where everyone becomes part of the performance.

BRUXAS - ensaio para a esperança
BRUXAS - ensaio para a esperança invites audiences into a walk through Cascais where feminism, witch hunts and personal memories intersect and blur. Through fragmented narratives and unexpected voices, the performance unsettles official histories and reflects on hope as a fragile yet transformative gesture.

Violet
In a DJ set that brings together rhythmic tension and futuristic imagination, Violet summons mutant techno, acid house and off-centre rhythms to build an intense and unpredictable sonic narrative. Between physical pulse and conceptual exploration, the set reflects her connection to dancefloor cultures and the political histories of dance music. The video projection of an original drawing by JAS expands this sensory experience. The DJ programme at the Art Explora Festival is curated by Filho Único.

A garota não
"A garota não" is the musical project of Cátia Mazari Oliveira, combining songwriting and social reflection. Presenting "Ferry Gold", this concert brings an intimate and powerful look at contemporary realities.
Past events

Un paseo mecido. Diego Delas.
Visual artist Diego Delas has designed and conceptualized a series of banners that are a poetic tribute to the relationship between man and the Mediterranean Sea. Each banner, handmade from natural fabrics, incorporates shapes and symbols inspired by nature and the waves, evoking the light and colors of the coastline.
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ANTIPODAS concert in Alain Weber's program
This visual and sensory experience presents the coexistence of two women interacting on stage, inspired by the myth of the double, a theme explored since the Romantic era in literature, film, and philosophy. The dance, flamenco, percussion, and visual poetry of one woman give form to the voice, instrument, melody, and sung poetry of the other.

Mikołaj Sobczak, Gossips. Bar Tore Confidential
Extending his exploration of queer migration, exile, and underground networks, Sobczak weaves together personal and historical encounters, using gossip as a fleeting yet powerful means of community-building and rewriting the past.

Bar Tore
Located in the heart of the village, Bar Tore embraces the many underground stories of bars as alternative spaces for community formation in Albania and Kosovo. Referencing iconic venues such as Bar Iliria in Tirana and Bar Janis in Prizren, the bar serves as both a site of artistic activation and a node of social memory.

Flaka Haliti - Things Keep Falling to Earth
Based on subjective experiences, Flaka Haliti keeps on looking at our fragmented, contradictory present. At the centre of her artistic practice is the individual and the question, how identity is constructed in a global fluid militant world. The three billboards displayed at the Art Explora Festival in Durrës follow an "ethics of proximity" and reference the contradictions of our ambivalent contemporary reality, addressing socio-political issues such as migration and racism.

Free shuttles
Free shuttles are available: Departures every 30 minutes from Durrës town hall. Everyday from 10:30am to closing time (see programme).
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Experiences on board the museum boat
Experience on reservation. Duration: 45 min.

The Present immersive exhibition
Experience on reservation. Duration: 1h00

LIMAN - Electro-traditional music from Turkey
Liman is the exceptional meeting of 3 great musicians from the current Turkish scene: Cem Yildiz, Ramazan Sesler and Ismail Pesluk. Together, they propose a veritable ‘electro-traditional’ exploration based on the rich heritage of Turkish folk music, from Istanbul to the shores of the Black Sea, via the valleys of Anatolia and the Aegean coast.

Elsa Lila - Solo Concert
Elsa Lila, one of Albania’s most beloved and renowned voices, will perform live at the Art Explora Festival in a rare and unmissable concert. Known for her captivating vocal range and emotive performances, Elsa has been a significant figure in both the Albanian and international music scenes. Accompanied by a piano, she will perform a selection of her celebrated repertoire in a truly intimate and memorable performance in the Port of Durrës.

Oda Haliti - Dj Set
Oda Haliti is an internationally acclaimed DJ and music producer based between Prishtina and Berlin. She blends old-school vibes with innovative beats, creating a unique sound that combines global rhythms with local influences.

Minimim
One of the pioneers of the electronic music scene in Albania, Minimim is a promoter, provocateur, aesthetician, and an irreplaceable force in the country’s cultural life. He is the co-founder and resident DJ of Discobox and PepperOn, two well-known spaces, and is one-third of the All Shadows trio. With an active presence spanning over two decades, Minimim is a regular participant in significant local and international festivals.

Kairo Urovi - The Boy With No Name
Printed in large-scale, paneled vinyl, this photograph is displayed at the entrance of the Port of Durrës, inviting visitors into the image itself and into the festival through this shared, suspended moment.

RAFFAELA NALDI ROSSANO - Support Structure for Antro della Sibilla: To hold your dreams
With this spatial intervention, Raffaela Naldi Rossano creates an oracle portal between Durrës and Cuma, both significant Mediterranean sites. The work mirrors protective structures recently introduced at the Antro, addressing the vulnerability of historical sites.

Bora Baboci - Fwd: Reminder
Fwd: Reminder is a newly created installation by Bora Baboçi, reflecting on the areas by the ports and trade routes, where exchanges and negotiations shift the fragile boundaries along the Mediterranean coast.
Frequently asked questions
The Art Explora Festival will take place from spring 2024 to spring 2026 in various Mediterranean cities.
Festival events take place both on the museum boat's quay and in heritage and/or emblematic sites in the stopover towns. To find out all about upcoming events in your town, consult our Agenda.
The Art Explora Festival offers a rich, multi-disciplinary program including visits to the museum ship, exhibition pavilions, virtual reality experiences, artistic performances, concerts, lectures, film screenings, creative workshops and meetings. You'll be able to discover local and international artists, as well as thinkers and cultural players exploring contemporary themes related to the Mediterranean region. To find out all about upcoming events in your city, consult our Agenda.
All Festival events are free of charge. Please note, however, that some events - such as workshops - require a reservation via the ticket office. Please consult the page dedicated to each event for more information on times and booking procedures.
To ensure that everyone has the best possible experience at the Festival, we have drawn up a visitors' charter listing a few good practices.
Yes, the boat is freely accessible on site. However, you can pre-book your time online on our website.
For reasons of safety and preservation of the boat, high heels and stilettos may not be worn on the boat.
To take part in the workshops and meetings offered during the Festival, you'll generally need to register in advance. Information on how to register will be available on the dedicated event page, where you can also find details of times and how to take part.
Yes, the Art Explora Festival also offers child-friendly activities, such as creative workshops specially designed for young participants. Take a look at the program to find out about events and activities for children and families.
The museum boat is open to all free of charge. To find out on which quay it will be moored, or to pre-book your slot, consult the page dedicated to your town.
Appropriate facilities have been set up on the Festival site for the reception and access of people with reduced mobility. The boat is equipped with a 1m-wide ramp, accessible to people with reduced mobility, but may require the accompaniment of a third party due to its gradient of over 6%. Access to the aft deck and immersive exhibition is possible. However, the upper deck is not accessible. Please inform us in advance of any special accessibility requirements, so that we can make the necessary arrangements.
Thank you for your interest in the Art Explora Festival! To find out more about our volunteer opportunities and to apply, please visit our "Become a volunteer"section of our website. There you'll find all the information you need about the roles available and the application procedure. We look forward to meeting you!
We're delighted to consider new partnerships for the Art Explora Festival. To find out how, please visit our dedicated page or write to us at contact@artexplora.org
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