The festival - part of WYD Lisbon 2023, which takes place from August 1st to 6th and will be attended by Pope Francis - is being announced under the motto “Make some noise, get up from the sofa, gather your friends and come live youth”.

Music, cinema, exhibitions, theatre, dance, conferences, and religious events will make up the program of this festival, with the organisation considering that, as far as Lisbon is concerned, it will be an “incredibly diverse and multicultural show where music, dance and art will invade the parks and squares of the city”.

The festival, with free admission and aimed at all ages, includes two sports tournaments, 10 plays, 15 films, 38 conferences, 290 concerts and 55 religious and meeting events, involving participants from over 50 countries.

According to the Local Organising Committee (COL) of WYD Lisbon 2023, quoted by the Ecclesia agency, the Youth Festival aims to provide “an experience of joy, youth, universality and faith, showing that the Catholic Church is a living and young church, capable to use contemporary languages ​​and art forms without compromising the message it intends to transmit”.

Lisbon was the city chosen by Pope Francis for the next edition of World Youth Day.

Author

A passionate Irish journalist with a love for cycling, politics and of course Portugal especially their sausage rolls.

Rory Mc Ginn