Embracing Variety: A Unified Celebration of Uniqueness
Get ready for a diverse, inclusive, and engaging event coming your way! The Óbidos Municipality is all set to launch Sound of Diversity, a project that aims to champion diversity, equality, and inclusion across the board. With an emphasis on youth, migrant communities, ethnic minorities, LGBTQI+ individuals, and others who usually remain sidelined in community activities, this venture promises to be a game-changer.
Backed by the Citizen, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) program, Sound of Diversity will have its grand debut from 9 to 11 May during the renowned Óbidos Vila Gaming festival. This annual pop culture and gaming extravaganza attracts a massive crowd, and this year, it'll serve as a platform for fun, educational, and thought-provoking sessions focused on identity, belonging, and human rights. The public is encouraged to contribute their ideas, shaping the future stages of the project.
Kick-starting the initiative will be a live concert on 9 May at Praça da Criatividade, featuring Stereossauro, Ana Magalhães, Ricardo Gordo, Carlão, Capicua, xtinto, and a DJ set by the Beatbombers. On 10 May, the photo exhibition "O Amor Mata" by João Francisco Vilhena opens, followed by a discussion on domestic violence with Patícia Ferreira from APAV. Workshops and panels, like the "Video Games and EU Values," will engage children and youth, exploring the role of gaming in fostering solidarity, inclusion, and digital citizenship.
These activities are part of the European Diversity Month 2026, and Sound of Diversity will join forces with 13 European cultural partners to create community stages hosting performances, debates, and civic engagement activities. The expected outcomes of the project include a practical guide on diversity and inclusion and improved local public policies in equality and integration.
While the Sound of Diversity project isn't explicitly mentioned in the European funding databases, projects similar in spirit are funded by CERV. The RELATE initiative, for example, promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion through cultural interventions, much like Sound of Diversity. And projects like PAL SOUND, funded under Erasmus+, use music and creativity to promote inclusion—showcasing the potential of art and sound as catalysts for diversity and unity.
- The diverse and engaging event, Sound of Diversity, will delve into fashion-and-beauty, education-and-self-development, and personal-growth, as it aligns with the principles of promoting diversity and inclusivity.
- In addition to live music performances, the event will feature a photo exhibition on love, "O Amor Mata," and a discussion on domestic violence, demonstrating the entertainment and social-media aspects, as well as the focus on human rights and identity.
- Career-development opportunities will be available through workshops and panels, such as the "Video Games and EU Values," that educate children and youth about digital citizenship and the role of gaming in fostering solidarity and inclusion.
- Sound of Diversity will collaborate with 13 European cultural partners to create community stages for performances, debates, and civic engagement activities, reflecting the project's commitment to pop-culture, sci-fi-and-fantasy, and championing diversity across these realms.
