Atlantic Festival

Atlantic Festival. The Atlantic Festival is a major annual forum on global affairs, public policy, and culture, organized by the Atlantic Council. Held in Lisbon, Portugal, the event convenes world leaders, policymakers, artists, and thinkers for discussions on pressing international challenges. It serves as a platform for dialogue on transatlantic relations, technological innovation, and geopolitical strategy, blending high-level policy debates with cultural performances and public engagement.

History

The festival was launched in 2018 by the Atlantic Council, a prominent Washington, D.C.-based think tank, as part of its efforts to foster stronger transatlantic relations and engage broader public audiences. The inaugural edition coincided with a period of significant geopolitical shifts, including debates over the future of NATO and the rise of artificial intelligence. Choosing Lisbon as its permanent home connected the event to a city with a rich history of global exploration and a modern reputation as a hub for technology and diplomacy. The concept evolved from the Council’s earlier flagship events, such as the Global Citizen Festival-inspired engagements, aiming to democratize access to policy conversations. Its establishment was also influenced by the success of other European forums like the Munich Security Conference and the World Economic Forum in Davos, but with a distinct focus on blending policy with public-facing cultural programming.

Organization and programming

The festival is produced annually by the Atlantic Council and its various centers, including the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security and the Digital Forensic Research Lab. Programming is structured across multiple days and typically features keynote addresses, panel discussions, live music, film screenings, and art installations. Core thematic tracks consistently address geopolitical risk, cybersecurity, climate change, the future of democracy, and disruptive technologies like quantum computing. A signature component is the "Idea Lab," which showcases innovations from startups and researchers. The event strategically utilizes iconic venues across Lisbon, such as the Museu do Oriente and the MAAT, to create an immersive experience. Partnerships with media organizations like the BBC and CNN help broadcast key sessions, while collaboration with local entities such as Universidade Nova de Lisboa and the City of Lisbon ensures deep community integration.

Notable speakers and participants

The festival has attracted a diverse array of influential figures from politics, business, and the arts. Notable political speakers have included former Secretary of State John Kerry, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa. Military and security perspectives have been provided by figures like former Supreme Allied Commander Europe James G. Stavridis and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. Technology and business leaders such as Microsoft President Brad Smith and IBM CEO Arvind Krishna have discussed digital governance. The cultural program has featured renowned artists like Portuguese fado singer Mariza, Academy Award-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney, and discussions with authors such as Hillary Rodham Clinton. Participants from international organizations like the United Nations and the World Bank have also been featured.

Cultural and economic impact

The festival has significantly boosted Lisbon's profile as a destination for international thought leadership, complementing other local events like the Web Summit. Economically, it generates substantial revenue for the local hospitality sector, including hotels like the Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon and restaurants across neighborhoods such as Chiado and Belém. Culturally, it has facilitated collaborations between international institutions and Portuguese entities like the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and the Berardo Collection Museum. The public-facing elements, including free concerts and exhibitions, have increased civic engagement with global issues. The event also provides a platform for Portuguese startups and academics to gain international visibility, strengthening the nation’s innovation ecosystem. Its model of integrating policy with culture has influenced the design of other conferences seeking to broaden their appeal beyond elite diplomatic circles.

Editions and locations

All editions to date have been held in Lisbon, utilizing a distributed model across the city's cultural and institutional venues. The 2018 inaugural edition focused on themes of democratic resilience and was held primarily at the Museu do Oriente. The 2019 forum expanded to include the MAAT and addressed the future of the European Union. The 2020 event was conducted as a hybrid virtual and in-person gathering due to the COVID-19 pandemic, linking studios in Washington, D.C. with locations in Portugal. The 2021 edition marked a return to full in-person programming, emphasizing post-pandemic recovery and the war in Ukraine, using venues like the Culturgest. Subsequent editions have continued to adapt, with the 2023 festival exploring themes of artificial intelligence and global stability. Each iteration has seen growing attendance from delegates representing governments, corporations like Google and BP, and civil society organizations from across the transatlantic community.

Category:Festivals in Portugal Category:Atlantic Council Category:Recurring events established in 2018