Dates / Schedules
Saturday, june 20 2026 10:00am to 5:30pm
Sunday, june 21 2026 10:00am to 8:00pm
Music
Talk
The Mensagem de Lisboa True Stories Festival brings stories from the city to the stages of the CCB, told live by the people who lived them.
People from Lisbon share true stories — their own. From a street sweeper who became a children’s author to musicians, activists, immigrants and communities shaping the city, the festival presents diverse voices and experiences through first-person storytelling, music, poetry, theatre and live illustration.
The programme also includes stories for younger audiences and culinary experiences, alongside a market of small-scale producers. This is not theatre. It is live journalism: unrecorded, unpredictable and grounded in in-depth research and fact-checking.
Free admission, subject to room capacity.
The Centro Cultural de Belém Foundation reserves the right to collect, store and use recordings of image, sound and voice, for the purposes of dissemination and for preserving the memory of its cultural and artistic activities, as well as its spaces. Should you require any further information, please contact us at the following email address: privacidade@ccb.pt
Programme
Saturday
june 20
Panel Discussion How Live Journalism Is Reinventing the News
10:00am 1:00pm | Luís de Freitas Branco Room
An opening session exploring new ways of storytelling. International journalists present examples of live journalism — a format transforming the relationship between audiences and stories.
With Headliner (Germany), the European Journalism Center and Diario Vivo (Spain).
Support Visapress, Goethe-Institut and Cenjor.
Mensagem/LEICA Talk The Stories Behind the Best Photographs
11:00am to 12:00pm | Luís de Freitas Branco Room Foyer
Photojournalists share the stories behind some of their most striking images, revealing how photography can become a powerful storytelling tool. Includes the Mensagem de Lisboa Photography Exhibition.
Live Journalism
3:00pm to 4:30pm | Luís de Freitas Branco Room
Across two sessions, stories from the city are shared live on stage: ordinary people and invisible lives, told by the protagonists themselves, accompanied by music, drawing, theatre, poetry and readings. Curated by Mensagem de Lisboa.
Talk Journalism and the Passion for Facts
4:45pm to 5:30pm | Maria Helena Vieira da Silva Room
A discussion on the future of journalism and its role in contemporary society, with a focus on storytelling and editorial curation by Mensagem de Lisboa.
Sunday
june 21
Live Journalism Session for Children (Ages 6–12)
11:00am to 12:00am | Jardim das Oliveiras
A live journalism experience designed for younger audiences who enjoy asking questions, imagining and discovering. Guests share stories from their lives and answer questions from children.
Pitching Ideas for Lisbon
2:30pm | Maria Helena Vieira da Silva Room
A space for those with ideas about what Lisbon could become. In this session, proposals from Lisbon residents come to life through live illustration and feedback from a jury. Featuring live drawing by Nuno Saraiva.
Live Journalism
4:30pm to 6:00pm | Luís de Freitas Branco Room
A session of stories told live by their protagonists, accompanied by poetry, music and dramatic expression — stories about Lisbon, its neighbourhoods and its people.
Curated by Mensagem de Lisboa.
Music with Captions
6:30pm to 8:00pm | Vianna da Motta Room
In an intimate setting, an artist shares their story, inspirations and relationship with the city through music-led conversation. Songs guide the interview, creating an authentic and unique connection with the audience.
Capacity: 20 participants
Ages
+6