From May 20th to 21st, Évora hosted the International Conference “What about Peace?” and the Mayors for Peace Youth Meeting, focusing on the role of culture, arts, and education in fostering peace. As Évora prepares for its role as the 2027 European Capital of Culture, the event brought together youth and experts to discuss how peace can be built beyond the absence of conflict.

A highlight of the event was the Mayors for Peace Youth Meeting, which took place on May 20th. About 30 young people from Portugal and Europe gathered to explore the broader meaning of “peace” through a workshop led by Vera Alvelos, a renowned artist and community leader. The workshop, held at Évora’s Cultural Centre, examined how education, culture, and art can contribute to peace-building efforts. The activities, such as writing haiku or a discussion about peace and war, helped participants engage with these ideas in a practical way.

On May 21, at the Palau D. Manuel in Évora, a conference focused on the theme of peace took place. The mayor of Évora, Carlos Pinto de Sá, and the councilor of Granollers, Álvaro Ferrer, spoke as the city’s representative and vice-president of Mayors for Peace. The event also included the intervention of Victor Ângelo, former Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT), and Pilar del Río, journalist, translator and president of the José Saramago Foundation. The round table was moderated by journalist Luís Matías and broadcast live by the Diana FM radio station.

As Évora prepares for 2027, the event emphasised the importance of youth involvement in peace-building. The conference highlighted that peace is more than the absence of war—it is a culture built through understanding, creativity, and cooperation. Through this event, Évora reaffirmed its commitment to using culture and arts to shape a more peaceful future.