In recent years, there has been an exponential growth in the number of music festivals produced in Portugal. In 2022, 292 music festivals were held, 68 of which were new festivals (APORFEST data). Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the same association estimated that the economic impact of music festivals amounted to 2 billion euros (2019). Facing this reality with strong economic, cultural and social consequences, this optional course unit aims to contribute to the diversification of NOVA FCSH academic offer, bringing to the academic discussion contemporary cultural practices. At the same time, this optional course unit gives students direct contact with the agents involved in these practices. The impact of music festivals has been studied in several countries, however in Portugal this universe still has many aspects to explore. Filling a gap in the academic offer in Portugal, this optional course unit offers FCSH students the opportunity to engage with different approaches to music festivals in Portugal and abroad. The different types of music festivals (dedicated to different musical practices), their history, their role in the economic, cultural and social spheres and the phenomena of festivalization of culture and cultural diplomacy are addressed. In addition to theoretical approaches, this optional course unit gives students the opportunity to directly contact the actors involved in the design, organization and communication of these practices. The optional course unit is based on the practice knowledge of the guests - stakeholders involved in the practice of national and international festivals as well as renowned academics in the area. With this direct and privileged contact, students contact with an innovative approach based on practical experience, involving students in business dynamics and putting them in contact with the economic and social network. The focus on practical knowledge, through the direct contact between the academy and the business environment, gives students practical tools based on theoretical and critical thinking.
Summer School 2026
Registry until 15th of June
Goals
- To develop knowledge and critical thought on Music Festivals in Portugal and Europe;
- To facilitate theoretical and practical knowledge on the diverse areas involved in the organization of these events (conceptualization, logistics, communication, etc.);
- To promote the comparative study of Music Festivals in diverse contexts and aimed at different audiences;
- To introduce the main theoretical and conceptual frameworks on Music Festivals;
- To develop and apply research tools to cultural practices based on Music Festivals;
- To problematize concepts of festivalization, performance, fandom, cultural diplomacy;
- To facilitate the interaction between students and the actors involved in the conceptualization, organization and communication of Music Festivals.
Program
Session 1 - With study visit (1 July) (3h)
- An introduction to the course and how classes are run, the lecturer and the students, and the course objectives.
- Session with guest on: Media coverage of Music Festivals
Session 2 - With study visit (2nd July) (2h)
Session with guest on: Producing Music Festivals and big events.
Session 3 - With study visit (3rd July) (2h)
- Session with guest on: Rebranding and programming classic music festivals
Session 4 (8th July) (2h)
- Concepts of Festival, Festivalization of culture, Theoretical approaches, Research methodologies
- Screening of audiovisual content and debate
Session 5 (9th July) (3h)
- Cultural Diplomacy and Music
- History of music festivals in Portugal, in the Iberian Peninsula and in Europe and the idea of identity through music
- Reading and debate
Session 6 (10th July) (3h)
- Media events and music festivals: The Eurovision Song Contest: History and Organization; Research ESC – Issues
- Media events and music festivals: The Festival RTP da Canção: History and Organization; Approaches, Issues, Methodologies
- Debate
Bibliography
- Bennett, A., Taylor, J., & Woodward, I. (Eds.). (2014). The festivalization of culture. Ashgate.
- Born, G. (2013). Music, sound and space: Transformations of public and private experience. Cambridge University Press.
- Dias, R., & Nunes, J. S. (2021). A case study on gender (im)balance in Portuguese jazz. Jazz Research Journal, 14(2), 138–159.
- Guerra, P., et al. (2017). A música em carne viva: Dinâmicas recentes de festivalização da cultura contemporânea. Anais do 40º Congresso Intercom.
- Isar, Y. R. (2010). Cultural diplomacy: An overplayed hand? Public Diplomacy Magazine, 21(4), 365–381.
- Lopes, A., & Carvalho, M. (2022). Between concepts and behaviors: The Eurovision Song Contest and ethnomusicology. In D. Dubin et al. (Eds.), The Eurovision Song Contest as a cultural phenomenon: From concert halls to the halls of academia. Routledge.
- Wolther, I. (2012). More than just music: The seven dimensions of the Eurovision Song Contest. Popular Music, 31(1), 165–171.
- Wolther, I., et al. (2026). ‘Soldi’ vs. ‘Have some fun’: Volunteer work in the Eurovision Song Contest. In G. Vorobjovas-Pinta & H. Shepherd (Eds.), Tourism, events and leisure perspectives on the Eurovision Song Contest. Channel View Publications.