Kontornu Festival 2027: Cape Verde Opens Global Artist Call
The Cape Verdean festival Kontornu has officially opened its call for artists and companies for its upcoming fifth edition. Scheduled to take place from May 10 to 15, 2027, on the island of Santiago, the festival is reinforcing its mission to bridge the gap between local talent and the global artistic community.
Organizers are positioning the event as a vital hub for artistic creation and exchange. Applications are open until July 30, 2026, and welcome a diverse range of disciplines, including dance, theater, contemporary circus, and interdisciplinary performances. Choreographers, solo performers, and artistic collectives are all encouraged to apply.
A Focus on Community and Unconventional Spaces
The 2027 edition will shift its focus toward education and the development of new audiences. In an effort to make art more accessible, the organization announced that approximately 80% of the programming will bypass traditional theaters. Instead, performances will pop up in schools, universities, public squares, local markets, community centers, and historical landmarks.
Given this decentralized approach, the selection committee will favor proposals that feature simple, portable technical setups. Preferred performances should run between 20 and 25 minutes and include a component for direct interaction or post-show sharing with the public.
Building Networks Over Traditional Fees
As an independent project operating under financial constraints, Kontornu noted in a press release that it cannot currently guarantee performance fees. However, organizers emphasized that the festival offers significant professional value. Selected participants will gain international visibility, access to exclusive networking events, and the opportunity to engage directly with invited curators and industry professionals.
The results of the selection process will be announced by August 15, 2026.
A Growing Legacy
The festival’s fourth edition, held this past May, showcased the event’s growing international reach. It brought together 80 participants from countries including Portugal, Brazil, Spain, and Senegal. Performances spanned the municipalities of Praia, Cidade Velha, and Tarrafal, and featured specialized artistic residencies designed to mentor the next generation of Cape Verdean cultural programmers and creators.
Image: Pexels – damien Saillet
