Culture

Porto/Post/Doc 2020 theme is alterations, a society that is forever changing the way things are perceived, be it on politics, economy, society and technology. This year’s edition is (rightfully) themed “A Cidade do Depois” ["The After City", free translation], and takes place between 20 and 29 November, in venues such as Rivoli, Passos Manuel, Porto Planetarium and Escola das Artes of the Universidade Católica. Programming is featured both online and in-person.

The year 2020 marks the Centenary of the National Theatre São João (TNSJ) main building and this is the second in-house production that is delivered to mark this occasion. The performance “O Balcão”, staged by Nuno Cardoso, artistic director of the TNSJ follows the “Castro” performance, which debuted last March. “O Balcão” took to the stage on 17th November and will be staged until the 21st November.

Take time during the weekend mornings to visit the Soares dos Reis National Museum, located in Porto, a cultural equipment under the tutelage of the DGPC. This Saturday and Sunday mornings, visits are exceptionally free of charge, between 10am and 1pm, under the significant alterations to operating hours, due to the State of Emergency.

New circus aka contemporary circus are back to the stages of Theatre Campo Alegre to present “Mostra Estufa”, an initiative by Erva Daninha, jointly with Porto Municipal Theatre (TMP), from Thursday to Friday, on 19 and 20 November, at 7.30pm. Tickets cost seven euros and grant access to the three shows. Tickets are available online or at the Ticket boot of the Municipal theatre, at Rivoli and at Campo Alegre.

The Fonoteca do Porto, aka Porto Audio Room shares its passion for music by according on Spotify a playlist of the best compositions by Portuguese piano player Vianna da Motta.

The next edition of “Inaugurações Simultâneas” [“Simultaneous Inaugurations”, free translation], at the Miguel Bombarda arts district, scheduled for 14th November, is postponed for a new date: 17th November, when galleries are open to welcome visitors and the programme is on until January.

The TNSJ will adjust sessions and open doors within the curfew hours, in line with the Governments’ measures, as regards weekend performances. Starting this next Saturday 14th November, the performances to National Theatre São João (TNSJ) will be altered and sessions will take to the morning period.

Independent movie theatre Trindade Cinema is adjusting to the pandemic restrictions and delivers movie sessions on weekend mornings. The multi prized film Listen’, by Portuguese director Ana Rocha de Sousa will play on the big screen.

The 2020/2021 Bienal Fotografia do Porto open call brings a novelty: “Cidades na Cidade” [“Cities in the City”, free translation] is the motto of the programme that challenges artists from Spain and Portugal to develop photo projects on urban community initiatives in the field of ecological and social justice. Applications are free and run until 30th November. The grant is worth 2200 euros.

The winners of the 2nd edition of the Paulo Cunha e Silva Award in the field of Visual arts established by Porto City Hall for artists aged less than 40 years. The jury decided to award the six finalists: Basir Mahmood, Firenze Lai, Lebohang Kganye, Shaikha Al Mazrou, Song Ta and Steffani Jemison, and to distribute the monetary prize of 25 thousand euros among them all. The announcement is made, symbolically, on the same day that marks five years since Paulo Cunha e Silva passed away.