Latitudes Festival Óbidos: A Global Literary Journey returns
The medieval town of Óbidos is set to transform into a global hub for literary exploration this spring. From April 16 to 19, the Latitudes Festival – Literature and Travelers returns to the Leiria district, bringing together 25 national and international authors for nearly 60 events across the municipality.
Curated by renowned author José Luís Peixoto, this year’s festival invites visitors to embark on “an immersive experience where literature is both the starting point and the destination,” according to a statement from the Óbidos City Council. The event is organized in partnership with Óbidos Criativa and the Ler Devagar bookstore.
A Journey Through Words
The 2026 lineup features a diverse roster of literary heavyweights. Highlights include a deep dive into the work of José Eduardo Agualusa in a session titled “Towards God: traveling through Agualusa’s stories,” conducted with João Gabriel Lima. Other confirmed participants include Maria João Lopo de Carvalho, José Pedro Castanheira, and Gonçalo Pereira Rosa.
The festival will also host a roundtable discussion on “Travels through Heritage” featuring Luís Quinta and Filipe Castro, coinciding with a special presentation celebrating “25 Years of National Geographic” magazine. Additional guests include Raquel Ochoa, Cristina Pinto Lopes, João da Silva, and Regina Duarte.
The Latitudes Passport: A New Way to Explore
This edition introduces a unique itinerant format designed to turn readers into explorers. Visitors will begin their journey at a dedicated “check-in” desk modeled after an airport counter. Here, they will receive a Latitudes Passport, a symbolic program that allows participants to record their “travels” as they move between events.
Like navigating airport gates, the festival route allows attendees to “cross cultural geographies,” moving from tales of Tokyo to the landscapes of Cape Verde within minutes. Events will be held throughout the walled town of Óbidos and into nearby parishes, ensuring the entire municipality becomes part of the literary map.
Artistic and Historical Exhibitions
Beyond the written word, Latitudes will host five thematic exhibitions to enrich the experience:
- Ana Rita Manique: A collection of evocative watercolors.
- Catarina Leonardo: A photographic journey through Saudi Arabia.
- Nadir Afonso: “Territory of Absolute Freedom,” showcasing the artist’s unique perspective.
- Royal Fragments: An exhibition detailing Prince D. Luís Filipe’s 1907 mission to Africa.
- The João da Silva Literary Road Trip: A project highlighting independent libraries and the people who run them.
A UNESCO City of Literature
Since its inception in 2017, the Latitudes Festival has cemented Óbidos’ reputation as a premier cultural destination. The town has been a recognized UNESCO City of Literature since 2015, using the festival to celebrate the intersection of words, encounters, and discovery.
As curator José Luís Peixoto summarizes, the upcoming festival will be “a journey made of words and ideas where all latitudes fit.”
Image: Pexels – Pedro V Garrett
