Porto Design Biennale is the result of cultural and economic municipal investment

This event will be brought to life in 2019 as the result of recent and robust municipal investment in culture by the cities of Porto and Matosinhos.

Nevertheless, Mayor of Porto and President of the Porto Design Biennale, Rui Moreira, hopes that the budget will be supported by the Government, by Brussels and by private parties. The goal is to promote national designers and the economy.

The programme and the curatorial team presentation for this 1st edition took place today at ESAD - Idea, in Matosinhos, making it clear that Porto Design Biennal aims to become "a solid and enduring project". The opening is scheduled for the period of September and December 2019.

General curator, José Bártolo, says:" Porto Design Biennale is designed to foster what already exists with a major event taking place every two years, establishing the debate between the Universities and business so as to develop critical thinking".

Rui Moreira further stated that: "this represents the epilogue to a policy that has been developed by the two City Halls [Porto and Matosinhos], in the cultural context in which design has a fundamental impact for us.

Design is the way towards a transformation in the Portuguese Industry. What we have here is the possibility to understand that design comprises the very geography of cities, architecture and much more.

This is an opportunity to internationalise what we know we are already doing well, showcasing and promoting what we do but bringing over those who do better".

The feature theme of the 1st Porto Design Biennale will be "Post Millennium Tension 2019" and will focus on contemporaneity and urban environment. The first invited country is Italy.

See here for more information on Porto Design Biennale programme.