Festival de Setembro is an international cultural event organized by the Municipality of Ourém. For years, it has used the unique setting of the medieval town as a backdrop for dialogue between history and contemporary culture.
The 2025 edition was held under the theme “Co(m)fluências”, referring to encounters and the flow of people, cultures, experiences, and histories that converge in one place. The title highlights the idea of togetherness and dialogue, as well as confluence—the merging of different currents into a shared space.
Built around the concepts of Heritage – Sense of Place – Interculturality, Festival de Setembro transformed Vila Medieval de Ourém into a vibrant cultural stage. The historic setting gained new scenography and became a space for music, performances, literature, inspiring discussions, cinema, exhibitions, and culinary experiences.
A particularly important role was played by artists and creators representing different languages and traditions, as well as immigrants living in Ourém. They shared their personal stories and presented elements of their countries’ cultures—from cuisine and crafts to performative actions. As a result, Festival de Setembro became a space for reflection on migration and contemporary identity, showing that integration and tolerance are not just ideas, but everyday experiences rooted in the meeting of cultural diversity and local heritage.
For centuries, Ourém has been a shared space for people arriving from different parts of the world. As early as the 15th century, representatives of other cultures settled in Vila Medieval. Today, local towns and villages continue to open themselves to the unknown, becoming home to new residents and new stories.
The history of Festival de Setembro dates back to 2014. Over the years, its editions have explored themes such as inspirations from the Mediterranean, diasporas and the Jewish presence in Ourém, as well as the city’s historical links with the Orient and Southeast Asia.
Following the revitalization of the Castle and the Counts’ Palace, the festival returned in 2023 with the edition “We, Migrants”, which drew on the emigrant experiences of Ourém’s residents and encouraged reflection on new concepts of place and belonging. The 2025 edition—“Co(m)fluências”—naturally continued this path, turning Vila Medieval de Ourém into a space of encounters, shared creation, and dialogue.
The nomination of Festival de Setembro in four categories of the Iberian Festival Awards 2026—including two judged by an international jury and two selected by public vote—is an important distinction for the city and the region. It shows that Ourém, known for its rich historical and spiritual heritage, is also a place of vibrant cultural dialogue recognized on the international stage.
We will proudly and enthusiastically follow the further journey of Festival de Setembro in the Iberian Festival Awards 2026 and are pleased that Ourém has found its place among the most interesting festivals on the Iberian Peninsula.
Photos from the organizer’s website:
https://festivaldesetembro.ourem.pt/
