Lisbon Takes Flight to Osaka: A Cultural Celebration Awaits!

Lisbon Flies to Osaka: Embracing Japanese Culture

The City Council has invested €250,000 to bring Lisbon closer to Osaka and celebrate Japanese culture from May to June.

© Francisco Romão Pereira | Main entrance of Mude, Rua Augusta

Exciting Events in Lisbon

For six months, the world will be focused on Osaka, Japan, which will host the 2025 World Expo. Lisbon is making its mark with a mirror programming to celebrate Japanese culture, kicking off on May 15 with the opening of the exhibition "Osaka Exhibition - 55 Years Later, Designing the Future" at MUDE.

"We made a significant investment – €250,000 to showcase the city and bring Japanese talent to Lisbon," stated Carlos Moedas at a press conference at MUDE. The event was attended by Pedro Reis, the Minister of Economy, the Japanese Ambassador to Portugal, Ota Makoto, and Joana Gomes Cardoso, the General Commissioner of Portugal at Expo Osaka 2025.

The "largest design museum in Europe" will host the first initiative of the program, an exhibition commemorating the 1970 Osaka World Expo, with a focus on Portuguese participation. Visitors can explore contributions from designers reflecting on heritage and presenting future ideas until June 15. Additionally, the Bordalo Pinheiro Museum and Casa Ásia will collaborate on the installation "Bordalo à Moda do Japão" from May 28 to August 31, highlighting Japanese influence on the art of Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro.

Cultural Workshops and Poetry

Casa Fernando Pessoa will also host events connecting Lisbon and Japanese culture. On May 31, the duo Nic and Inês will lead a workshop titled "My Pessoa Book," allowing participants to create their own anthology from selected poems by Fernando Pessoa in Portuguese, English, and Japanese, featuring illustrations by various artists.

On June 4, the event "Japanese Poetry in Translation" will focus on contemporary Japanese poets, including readings and discussions.

Japanese Film Festival

From June 5 to 7, Cinema São Jorge will feature a cycle of Japanese cinema, showcasing masterpieces from various decades, including "Tokyo Story" by Yasujiro Ozu, "Seven Samurai" by Akira Kurosawa, and films by renowned director Hayao Miyazaki.

In Osaka, the Lisbon City Council's programming, in partnership with Lisboa Cultura and supported by the Lisbon Tourism Association, will feature a concert on May 5 with Ana Moura, Camané, and Ricardo Ribeiro, along with workshops that introduce cultural elements like tile painting and poetry.

Various locations. From May 15 to August 31.