Oeiras

Portugal

Oeiras is one of the 18 municipalities comprising the Lisbon Metropolitan Area.

With a total area of only 46 square kms, it is, nevertheless, one of the most populous municipalities in the country and the 2nd most prosperous. Beautiful blue flag beaches, elegant lighthouses and the world’s largest complex of maritime fortifications punctuate its panoramic coastline.

Oeiras unique historic and cultural heritage also includes the 18th century Marquis of Pombal Palace and Gardens, the centuries old Barcarena Gunpowder Factory, the magnificent Caxias Royal Gardens, the Poets’ Park (one of the largest statuary parks dedicated to poetry in Europe), the Cartuxa Convent and Leceia – the largest archaeological site (3000 BCE) in Lisbon area.

ECOC

Oeiras has competed for the title of European Capital of Culture 2027, in Portugal, along with 11 other cities.

Our bid’s motto – “We, the People of Europe” – aimed at turning Oeiras and Lisbon Metropolitan Area into a living laboratory for practicing exportable models of cultural democracy. However, our bid was not selected to advance for the final stage of the competition.

The Organization

Oeiras is represented in Culture Next Network by its Municipality, which also led the ECoC bid process for 2027.

Who represents the city

Jorge Barreto Xavier
Municipal Director of Education, Social Development and Culture
Cultural manager, scholar and author, Mr. Barreto Xavier was Secretary of State for Culture in the 19th Portuguese Constitutional Government and General Director of Arts.

Graduated in Law and post-graduated in Arts Management, he completed the doctoral program in Public Policies. Mr- Barreto Xavier is now Municipal Director of Education, Social Development and Culture in the Municipality of Oeiras and was Commissioner for Oeiras Bid to European Capital of Culture 2027.

Carlos Reis
Head of Division for Culture and Arts
Working for almost two decades in Oeiras, Mr. Reis has a degree in Psychology with a specialization in Social, Work and Organizational Psychology.

He has simultaneously attended the Complementary Courses in Singing and Harpsichord at the National Conservatory of Lisbon’s School of Music. At the same time, he has developed a career as a professional musician, collaborating with various artistic formations, as an instrumentalist (harpsichord and gamelan player), choir singer and tenor soloist, participating in numerous concerts in some of the most reputed concert halls in Portugal and abroad. In January 2023, Mr. Reis was appointed Head of Division for Culture and Arts of the Municipality of Oeiras.

Contact

Largo Marquês de Pombal, 2784-501 Oeiras, Portugal

dmedsc@oeiras.pt

www.oeiras.pt

(+351) 214 408 300