From Lagos to Japan: The 12th Discoveries Festival celebrates Lagos’ pivotal role in the Portuguese Age of Discovery
– April 15, 2025
From April 30 to May 4, Lagos will once again celebrate its rich maritime heritage with the 12th edition of Festival dos Descobrimentos (Discoveries Festival).
This year’s theme, “The Great Adventure: From Lagos to Japan,” highlights Portugal’s voyages across uncharted waters, connecting Europe to the East in the 16th century.
The festival will unfold across five days, each dedicated to a different chapter in this era, from the early 15th-century myths of the unknown ocean to the arrival of the Portuguese in Japan.
It will also explore the influence of Prince Henry the Navigator, the expansion towards India, and the love story between a Japanese princess and a Portuguese navigator.
One of the main attractions is the Quinhentista Fair, an immersive historical marketplace set between Praça do Infante and Jardim da Constituição.
With vendors, craftspeople, and performers recreating the atmosphere of the 16th century, visitors will step into a world of explorers and merchants.
Alongside the fair, the programme includes historical re-enactments, exhibitions, conferences, and street entertainment, bringing history to life throughout the city.
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