The Cordas World Music Festival, known locally as Festival Cordas, has been ranked fifth among the world’s top 10 music festivals by the Transglobal World Music Chart (TWMC), placing the Azorean event alongside major festivals in Slovakia, Japan, Italy, the United States, Spain, and France.

The distinction was announced this week as part of the fourth edition of the Transglobal Festival Awards, an initiative launched in 2017 to promote the appreciation of global music cultures as tools for personal development, cultural exchange, and artistic enjoyment. The 2025 awards recognized the top 10 festivals worldwide.

In its citation, the jury described Festival Cordas as “a unique experience on a privileged and enchanting island,” praising both its artistic vision and curatorial rigor. “Music from the islands, from the rest of Portugal, and from across the world meets and engages in dialogue,” the jury noted, adding that the festival also creates meaningful opportunities for musicians to connect and collaborate throughout the event. The panel highlighted in particular the festival’s commitment to supporting and showcasing Azorean musical culture, with a strong presence of violas and other native island styles across the program.

In 2025, Festival Cordas marked its 10th anniversary in Madalena, on Pico Island. It was the only festival from Portugal to be included in this edition of the Transglobal awards and is now regarded as the most internationally recognized artistic and cultural project produced in the Azores.

The next edition of Festival Cordas is being prepared by its founder and artistic director, Terry Costa, and is scheduled to take place from October 1 to 5, 2026. Dedicated to the world of string instruments, Festival Cordas extends beyond concert stages, with programming held in schools, gardens, cafés, the Pico Museum, and one of the region’s largest cultural venues, the Madalena Library and Auditorium.

The Transglobal World Music Chart is a global network of journalists, critics, writers, and radio DJs from every continent, specializing in world music. In addition to producing monthly and annual charts highlighting the best new world music albums worldwide, TWMC also oversees initiatives such as the Hall of Fame and the Festival Awards.

Photos: Pedro Silva
Video: Cordas Diaries 2025 available on Vimeo-l: https://vimeo.com/miratecarts

From Press Release