UNESCO Sound Week – Portugal 2026
Portugal is proud to participate in UNESCO’s Week of Sound with a national program dedicated to hearing health, sound awareness, accessibility and social inclusion. The Week of Sound – Portugal 2026 will take place from February 16 to 21, 2026, and will bring together people with hearing loss, hearing aid and cochlear implant users, healthcare professionals, researchers, artists, political decision-makers and the general public.
This initiative is in line with the principles of UNESCO and Sound Week, promoting sound as an essential dimension of health, culture, education and sustainable development.
Program presentation
The program combines regional awareness-raising actions across Portugal, a high-level international conference in Lisbon and a major inclusive musical event, reaffirming the importance of sound, listening and accessibility in contemporary society.
Regional activities
– February 16 – Braga: Conference and music
Public awareness activities combining expert talks and concerts, to involve the local community.
– February 18 – Porto: Conferences and music
Public lectures and inclusive cultural activities organized in partnership with local institutions.
– February 19 – Coimbra: Lectures and music
Academic sessions combined with music, promoting dialogue between science, culture and society.
International Conference
Date: February 20, 2026
Location: Belém Cultural Centre (CCB), Lisbon
The International Conference is the flagship academic and political event of the Week of Sound – Portugal 2026. It will address the themes of hearing health, accessibility, inclusion, technological innovation and public policy at national and international levels.
The conference is aimed at people with hearing loss, hearing care professionals, researchers, industry representatives, policy makers, educators and all stakeholders interested in sound and listening.
Guest speakers include international experts, representatives of global and European organizations, clinicians, researchers and user representatives, fostering a multidisciplinary and inclusive dialogue. Closing concert
Date: February 21, 2026
Venue: Teatro Capitólio, Lisbon
The Week of Sound – Portugal 2026 closes with an inclusive concert celebrating sound, music and diversity. The program features Portuguese artists of all genres and generations.
Accessibility measures are in place, including live subtitling in Portuguese and English, accessible seating and an inclusive layout for the audience, to ensure full participation by the hearing impaired.
Accessibility and inclusion
Accessibility is at the heart of Sound Week – Portugal. Events are designed to promote equal opportunities through subtitling, inclusive communication strategies and awareness of hearing-impaired-friendly environments.
Organizers
The Week of Sound – Portugal 2026 is organized by :
OUVIR (Entendre) – Portuguese association of hearing aid and implant users, in collaboration with UNESCO and La Semaine du Son.
OUVIR (Entendre) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the representation, inclusion and empowerment of people with hearing loss, promoting hearing health, accessibility and social participation.
