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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
Heir to the Mandinka griot tradition, Kimi Djabaté places the balafon at the heart of his music, alongside the kora, the guitar, percussion and singing. Based in Portugal, he brings West African traditions into dialogue with jazz, blues, fado and bossa nova, crafting a sound world that is both deeply rooted and resolutely contemporary. Sung in Mandinka, Creole and Portuguese, his songs carry a message of commitment: defending women's rights, calling for peace, and celebrating tolerance and dialogue between cultures.
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.
Chão de meninos
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.
Kitchen workshop, Mastro Sol, Maja Escher
In this workshop, each participant shapes and decorates a cookie figure for Mastro Sol, an installation inspired by Alentejo festival rituals, where figures are hung from festive masts. Each piece carries the gesture and story of its maker, joining others in a collective artwork made by many hands. When Mastro Sol is exhibited on June 27 at 11:00 am, you can return to find your figure and see how it became part of the final piece.
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
Mastro Sol is a participatory work that brings together installation, kitchen-workshop and public celebration through the collective creation of edible biscuit-dough flags, produced in workshops open to the community, installed around a mast and shared in the final moment as a gesture of encounter and celebration.
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.
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.
Past events
A History of Cyprus through Its Animals: Introductions, Extinctions, Interactions, and Depictions in Ancient Art
The history of humans and animals in Cyprus is long, complex, and fascinating. It encompasses numerous instances of introduction, extinction, and countless forms of interaction between animals and humans, right up to the present day. Join an interactive journey through time. Explore and discuss the extinction of Cyprus's endemic fauna, the introduction of wild and domestic animals, the evolution of their roles over time, subsequent extinctions, their presence in ancient art, and much more. As the objects on display in the museum demonstrate, the history and art of Cyprus are profoundly enriched by humankind's fascination with animals. In parallel, and throughout the day, the film Secret will be screened continuously in the museum.
A History of Cyprus through Its Animals: Introductions, Extinctions, Interactions, and Depictions in Ancient Art
The history of humans and animals in Cyprus is long, complex, and fascinating. It encompasses numerous instances of introduction, extinction, and countless forms of interaction between animals and humans, right up to the present day. Join an interactive journey through time. Explore and discuss the extinction of Cyprus's endemic fauna, the introduction of wild and domestic animals, the evolution of their roles over time, subsequent extinctions, their presence in ancient art, and much more. As the objects on display in the museum demonstrate, the history and art of Cyprus are profoundly enriched by humankind's fascination with animals. In parallel, and throughout the day, the film Secret will be screened continuously in the museum.
Mediterranean wonders
Embark on a journey to the Golden Age of Alexandria, Athens, and Venice! This brand-new experience, developed exclusively for the Art Explora Festival by Ubisoft, allows you to dive into the past at the heart of 3 iconic cities at the height of their splendor.
Mediterranean Sound Journey
Embark on a sonic Odyssey to discover the landscapes of the Mediterranean! Designed and produced by Ircam and Ircam Amplify for the Art Explora festival.
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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
Ngomez Nokass
Ngomez Nokass, a renowned Senegalese percussion and dance group based in Barcelona and specializing in traditional rhythms such as sabar, djembe, and mbalakh, will officially open the festival. Originally formed by eight members and now expanding to over 15, the group fuses traditional Senegalese percussion with the energy of dance, offering vibrant performances filled with rhythmic patterns that are part of a long and rich cultural heritage.
Inauguration Barcelona
Opening on Thursday, March 26, starting at 5 p.m. Free admission.
Miramizu
Amman-born and Barcelona based for the last years, Miramizu is an expert in fusing disparate musical worlds into vibrant journeys. Drawn to contrast, she thrives on the friction between softness and impact, light and low-end, emotion and electricity. For her dj set at Art Explora, she will guide audiences on a sonic journey inspired by the Mediterranean, navigating textures, rhythms, and cultural echoes that reflect our shared landscape and collective experience
res_ & Coral Canigó
res_ (antes res_és_nostre) is a sound art duo that investigates the intersection between electronic music, language and visual arts, understanding sound as cultural, historical and political material. For Art Explora they present a live show based on the sampling of medieval catalan choirs, whose voices are fragmented and processed electronically, generating a dialogue between archive, technology and collective body. Their performance will be joined by 40 singers from the Canigó Choir.
mad miran
Thriving on unpredictability, whether at a festival or an intimate club, mad miran’s connection to rave culture and unique blend of electronic beats guarantee a mesmerizing performance every time, marking her as one of the most exciting DJs to watch.
Radio Alhara
Radio Alhara will join the programme of the festival with sporadic music transmissions at the village . Palestine becoming the soundtrack, the background of the Mediterranean.
Guided tours
Immerse yourselves to the exhibitions of Art Explora Festival with the guidance of experienced mediators.
Naïm Gnawa Ensemble
Naïm Gnawa Ensemble is a Moroccan traditional music ensemble based in Barcelona, specializing in the Gnawa repertoire. Led by maâlem Naim Issawa, the group performs in a large collective format rooted in ritual practice, combining percussion, ghaita trumpets and choral voices. Their music creates a shared, ceremonial experience where rhythm, repetition and collective energy play a central role.
The underwater divines are flying and floating and melting with us
A visual and sonic symphony that immerses us in the mysteries of the deep sea, while also becoming an ode to imagination and creation. Based on a film by the artist Rosa Tharrats aboard a ship on an expedition with the Schmidt Ocean Institute, the performance includes a soundtrack created in situ, in a process of dramatic and musical improvisation led by musician Mau Boada (Esperit!), singer Clara Enrich-Genestar, and poet Gabriel Ventura.
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