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

DJ Set for kids - Radio Minus Sound System
An atypical web radio station for curious young listeners, Radio Minus is dedicated to researching, archiving, documenting and broadcasting the hidden treasures of music for and by children. Hosted by a team of enthusiasts at the cutting edge of the subject, the radio station offers a vinyl DJ set, supported by a video-game system, with a single objective: to get kids dancing to never-before-heard tunes.

Workshop – Introduction to Dabkeh – Wadee Alkhouri and Tatiana Calderón - the workshop for artists in exile
Wadee Alkhouri and Tatiana Calderón invite you to a workshop to discover dabke, a group dance performed at weddings, banquets, and other celebrations. Through a combination of lively music, energetic movements, and intercultural interaction, they create a dynamic and enriching atmosphere where you can explore the deep connections between dance, music, and culture.

Participatory culinary performance by Rafram Chaddad with an Old Port fishmonger (invited by Martha Kirszenbaum)
Inspired by the fish markets of Djerba, the Tunisian island where Rafram Chaddad grew up, a fish auction performance.

SISSI Club performance with Samir Laghouati-Rashwan (guests Martha Kirszenbaum)
SISSI invites Marseilles-based artist Samir Laghouati-Rashwan for a new performance entitled Dance Against, Samir Laghouati-Rashwan collaborates with artist Mystique to create a work fusing video installation and DJ set.

Echo of a fashion performance – Alexandra Hadjikyriacou (guest of Martha Kirszenbaum)
Cypriot and English designer Alexandra Hadjikyriacou combines Cypriot Venetian lace, urban and rural embroidery, silk making and linen weaving in her fashion creations, using domestic knitting machines combined with painting and installation.

Voices: Valentin Raffali
30-minute speech by an inspiring personality: Valentin Raffali

Voices: Guillaume Sourrieu
30 minutes of speaking time from an inspiring personality: Guillaume Sourrieu

Hylel Company
In response to the film BAC Nord, the performance BACH NORD [Bring Out the Guitars] offers a reappropriation of the image of young people from working-class neighborhoods by themselves. This participatory project is a musical and dance work inspired by the music of Bach, navigating between drill and instrumental music. The starting point for the choreographic creation is the work carried out by the choreographer during workshops in schools and socio-educational settings with around one hundred teenagers from the northern neighborhoods of Marseille.

Performance nasa4nasa – 'Promises' (invited by Martha Kirszenbaum)
Reimagined for the Art Explora Festival, the performance Promises is an improvisation score in which two bodies attempt to choreograph a field of listening to sensitive composition.

Carte blanche to Films Femmes Méditerranée
Film screenings.

Carte blanche to FIDMarseille
Film screening

Visits for associations
Come and discover the various exhibitions of the Art Explora Festival with your association!

Fashion performance – Alexandra Hadjikyriacou (invited by Martha Kirszenbaum)
Cypriot and English designer Alexandra Hadjikyriacou combines Cypriot Venetian lace, urban and rural embroidery, silk making and linen weaving in her fashion creations, using domestic knitting machines combined with painting and installation.

Voices: Member of SOS Méditerranée
30-minute speech by an inspiring member of SOS Méditerranée
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Music & Cinema Festival
"'Vestiaires' - Season 14" is a project conceived for the 2024 Cultural Olympiad and sponsored by the Marseille-based screenwriters of the series, Fabrice Chanut and Adda Abdelli. Since 2011, the series Vestiaires has highlighted, with a light and humorous tone, the daily lives of swimmers with disabilities, while breaking down stereotypes.
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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