☉ day ✷ after sunset ☾ night
Transparency
The first edition of ℳ𝓊𝓁𝒶 grew out of an independent initiative and more than a year of dedicated work. It was only made possible because a committed team and network of partners believed in the project. ℳ𝓊𝓁𝒶 did not rely on volunteer labour: everyone involved in the team and artistic programme was paid for their work.
The edition was produced with a total budget of €60,000, with funding from DGARTES, Criatório, Goethe-Institut and Sismógrafo, alongside essential in-kind support from our partner venues and team. Of this budget, €28,200 was allocated to the artistic programme, including fees, travel, accommodation, per diems, set transportation and copyright fees; €24,500 covered team fees, technical equipment and rentals; and approximately €5,000 was allocated to communication, with the remaining amount covering administrative costs.
All proceeds from merchandise sales and audience donations were donated to Cáritas Diocesana de Leiria.
Recommendations
ℳ𝓊𝓁𝒶 values experimentation and artistic risk, establishing itself as an open, free, and accessible space that promotes direct encounters between artists and the public. It encourages hybrid performance practices that challenge dominant models of production and circulation. In partnership with artists and teams, ℳ𝓊𝓁𝒶 guarantees a respectful and welcoming environment, understanding that a safe space is one where we can disagree with confidence. The friction that art allows is also a space to experience and dialogue with differences, without the need for agreement. Sexist, homophobic, transphobic, racist, or discriminatory attitudes will not be tolerated.
The festival is recommended for ages 16 and over.
Free admission — how it works
The performances, workshops, and concert during the ℳ𝓊𝓁𝒶 weekend are free to the public and operate on a first-come, first-served basis. There are no reservations or advance ticket collection. Each venue has a specific capacity, so we recommend that the public arrive early to avoid delays or being unable to gain access. Each venue will be open to the public half an hour before the performance. Our team is small but dedicated, and we will do everything we can to welcome you in the best possible way.
Donations (pay what you can) <3
Although admission is free, we suggest making a donation at the entrance to each venue. These donations will go towards supporting the partner venues that generously host the festival's program. Part of these donations will be sent to organizations supporting victims of the storms in central Portugal. NB: All staff and artists participating in ℳ𝓊𝓁𝒶 are professionals and are duly paid.
What's not free
Free admission does not apply to Club ℳ𝓊𝓁𝒶, at Passos Manuel, which has a specific price at the door. Oracle readings (tarot and astrological charts) at Hotelier require prior registration and will be paid directly to the oracles, on site.
Eating & Drinking
On the 20th, at Sismógrafo, ℳ𝓊𝓁𝒶 Euskalduna sandwiches will be available to go. The same sandwiches will also be available on the 21st at Ogi, during opening times and can be taken to any venue in the program.
On the night of Mala Voadora (20), there will be bar and catering by Arre! available for purchase.
On the 21st, at Hotelier, there will be vegan lunch and dinner.
We recommend cash payments.
Accessibility & Content Warnings
ℳ𝓊𝓁𝒶 seeks to provide transparent information about the accessibility of each space and event. We apologize if some may present barriers for certain individuals. We have decided to indicate only the minimum trigger warnings for each piece, assuming that contemporary artistic practices are a zone of friction and difference. Specific accessibility information can be found on the pages for each space.
Contacts & Accessibility
Programmers and press are invited to contact us via email at bacteriaac@gmail.com. People with disabilities or specific needs are also invited to contact us in advance so that we can provide the best possible conditions for their participation.
More Info
If you have any questions or problems, please contact the team present at each venue. The festival will be documented, and the photographs will be available online after editing.
☉ day ✷ after sunset ☾ night
Transparency
The first edition of ℳ𝓊𝓁𝒶 grew out of an independent initiative and more than a year of dedicated work. Produced by Bactéria Associação Cultural, founded by Cristina Planas Leitão in 2015 and based in Porto, it was only made possible because a committed team and network of partners believed in the project. ℳ𝓊𝓁𝒶 did not rely on volunteer labour: everyone involved in the team and artistic programme was paid for their work.
The edition was produced with a total budget of €60,000, with funding from DGARTES, Criatório, Goethe-Institut and Sismógrafo, alongside essential in-kind support from our partner venues and team. Of this budget, €28,200 was allocated to the artistic programme, including fees, travel, accommodation, per diems, set transportation and copyright fees; €24,500 covered team fees, technical equipment and rentals; and approximately €5,000 was allocated to communication, with the remaining amount covering administrative costs.
All proceeds from merchandise sales and audience donations were donated to Cáritas Diocesana de Leiria.
Recommendations
ℳ𝓊𝓁𝒶 values experimentation and artistic risk, establishing itself as an open, free, and accessible space that promotes direct encounters between artists and the public. It encourages hybrid performance practices that challenge dominant models of production and circulation. In partnership with artists and teams, ℳ𝓊𝓁𝒶 guarantees a respectful and welcoming environment, understanding that a safe space is one where we can disagree with confidence. The friction that art allows is also a space to experience and dialogue with differences, without the need for agreement. Sexist, homophobic, transphobic, racist, or discriminatory attitudes will not be tolerated.
The festival is recommended for ages 16 and over.
Free admission — how it works
The performances, workshops, and concert during the ℳ𝓊𝓁𝒶 weekend are free to the public and operate on a first-come, first-served basis. There are no reservations or advance ticket collection. Each venue has a specific capacity, so we recommend that the public arrive early to avoid delays or being unable to gain access. Each venue will be open to the public half an hour before the performance. Our team is small but dedicated, and we will do everything we can to welcome you in the best possible way.
Donations (pay what you can) <3
Although admission is free, we suggest making a donation at the entrance to each venue. These donations will go towards supporting the partner venues that generously host the festival's program. Part of these donations will be sent to organizations supporting victims of the storms in central Portugal. NB: All staff and artists participating in ℳ𝓊𝓁𝒶 are professionals and are duly paid.
What's not free
Free admission does not apply to Club ℳ𝓊𝓁𝒶, at Passos Manuel, which has a specific price at the door. Oracle readings (tarot and astrological charts) at Hotelier require prior registration and will be paid directly to the oracles, on site. ℳ𝓊𝓁𝒶 T-shirts will be available at Mala Voadora (20 Mar — 22:00–04:00), RAMPA (21 Mar — 18:00–21:00) and Passos Manuel (21 Mar — 23:00–05:00).
Eating & Drinking
On the 20th, at Sismógrafo, ℳ𝓊𝓁𝒶 Euskalduna sandwiches will be available to go. The same sandwiches will also be available on the 21st at Ogi, during opening times and can be taken to any venue in the program.
On the night of Mala Voadora (20), there will be bar and catering by Arre! available for purchase.
On the 21st, at Hotelier, there will be vegan lunch and dinner.
We recommend cash payments.
Accessibility & Content Warnings
ℳ𝓊𝓁𝒶 seeks to provide transparent information about the accessibility of each space and event. We apologize if some may present barriers for certain individuals. We have decided to indicate only the minimum trigger warnings for each piece, assuming that contemporary artistic practices are a zone of friction and difference. Specific accessibility information can be found on the pages for each space.
Contacts & Accessibility
Programmers and press are invited to contact us via email at bacteriaac@gmail.com. People with disabilities or specific needs are also invited to contact us in advance so that we can provide the best possible conditions for their participation.
More Info
If you have any questions or problems, please contact the team present at each venue. The festival will be documented, and the photographs will be available online after editing.