The 2nd edition of the Utopia Literary Festival kicked off last Friday with the confirmation of something new, with 2026 in mind.

In two years, the Festival will make its first foray into the islands, arriving in Ponta Delgada, the city that will be the Portuguese Capital of Culture in 2026.

The announcement was made by Paulo Ferreira, director of the Utopia Festival, and Ricardo Rio, president of Braga City Council, at the moment attended by fado singer Katia Guerreiro, commissioner of Ponta Delgada, Portuguese Capital of Culture.

The event will also reach Latin America next year.

The intention to expand the Festival is not new.

Promoted by The Book Company, Utopia had already announced, in its debut edition, its ambition to establish itself on the circuit of significant cultural and literary events, configuring itself as a brand that can be applied in various territories, not only in Portugal but also across borders.

“Utopia was born in an old city, but full of future.” These are the words of Paulo Ferreira, who, as director of the Festival, once again affirmed his commitment to another edition next year, with Braga as the Portuguese Capital of Culture. Then, in 2026, Ponta Delgada will receive this testimony, hosting the first edition of Utopia on the islands. Paulo Ferreira said concerning this expansion of Utopia, “Utopia has its roots in Braga, but it has grown.”

Mayor Ricardo Rio, who is involved in the Festival’s growth strategy, said during Friday’s inaugural session that “the ambition to internationalize the Festival to Latin America would happen sooner.”

Initially announced for 2027, the first edition of Utopia outside of Portugal has now been confirmed for next year in a country yet to be revealed.

It should be remembered that Utopia was present at the Buenos Aires Book Fair to strengthen synergies with one of the most important cultural events at the international level. Now in its 48th edition, the Buenos Aires Book Fair has over 1,500 exhibitors from over 40 countries and welcomes around 1.2 million visitors.

In Portugal, there is a collaboration protocol between the Festival and other literary events, such as LeV – Literatura em Viagem (Matosinhos), Fólio (Óbidos) and 5L (Lisbon).

After a weekend that saw the presence of names such as Leïla Slimani, Miguel Sousa Tavares, Rodrigues Guedes de Carvalho, and Augusto Santos Silva, among many others, Utopia guarantees a program full of workshops, book launches, talks, workshops, and interviews until next Sunday.

in Diário dos Açores – Osvaldo Cabral, director.