TEDxMarvila brings global thinkers to Lisbon

Lisbon is set to host an extraordinary TEDx event in Marvila, where English talks will be seamlessly translated into Portuguese in real-time by AI. Centered around the theme of The Art of Being Human, this groundbreaking gathering will weave together innovation, tradition, and a deep sense of community. Attendees can expect an inspiring lineup of world-class speakers, featuring both renowned Portuguese voices and global thought leaders, ready to spark transformative ideas and meaningful conversations.

• Dr. Miguel Stanley, founder of the White Clinic and a slow dentistry pioneer, has reshaped global healthcare, earning recognition from the World Health Organization for his ethical and innovative approach to healthcare.
• Gisela João, a gold and platinum Fado artist, is redefining the genre, turning music into a universal force of identity and emotion.
• Jonny Thomson, philosopher and author of Mini Philosophy, bridges the gap between complex philosophical ideas and everyday life.
• Joana Nobre, CEO of Crème de la Crème, is leading the future of sustainable beauty, with innovations featured in Vogue.
• Natalie Turner, innovation specialist and creator of the Six I’s method, empowers individuals and organizations to turn ideas into real-world impact.
• Pedro Santa Clara, a finance professor and founder of Portugal’s first fully digital university, is transforming global education.
• Oluwole Omofemi, is a Nigerian artist and curator based in Nigeria. He is mostly known for painting the last commissioned painting of Queen Elizabeth II before her death.
• Inês Feliciano, cultural historian, unveils how Portugal’s iconic tiles—a national treasure—embody resilience and identity.
• Simon Court, leadership coach and co-founder of Value Partnership, empowers founders and executives to build high-performing teams and lasting business legacies.

Founder of TEDxMarvila, Anel Imanbay, shared “Convento do Beato is regarded as one of the most beautiful and important venues for events in Portugal.” The founder, who resides in Marvila, explained that “Marvila is buzzing with cultural and economic regeneration. Blending industrial heritage with innovation, Marvila has evolved into a thriving centre of creativity and culture.”

Anel Imanbay told The Portugal News, “By bringing TEDx world to Marvila, this event marks a pivotal moment for Lisbon. We’re inviting both local and international voices, to share transformative ideas, and fuel the city's creative and intellectual landscape.”

Adding, “I think when TEDx comes to neighbourhoods, it sparks new ideas and that is the core value of TEDx. It is all about sharing new ideas which will shape positive change and that is what we want to bring. The theme I chose for the day, is something that really speaks to me personally, unfortunately, sometimes we feel helpless in the way that we cannot impact the world to the extent we want but maybe we can start from ourselves, by understanding what is the art of being human.”

Volunteer driven

Anel also shared her gratitude for the volunteers behind the scenes, who will bring the captivating event to life, “TEDxMarvila is entirely nonprofit, run by 44 volunteers from 15 different countries, all passionate about the theme The Art of Being Human.”

With regards to the motivation behind the initiative, Anel explained, “Many of us love Portugal and consider it our home, but we might not yet have the fluency to fully engage with scientific and intellectual discussions in Portuguese. This event is about inclusion, unity, and fostering meaningful conversations in a language accessible to all.”

To ensure accessibility, all talks will be AI-translated into Portuguese, allowing both locals and international residents to fully engage with the discussions.

TEDxMarvila goes beyond inspiring talks, with the founder promising a fully immersive experience that encompasses:

• A Curated Art Exhibition: The Heart of Being Human, curated by Carlos Pissarra, Alina de Oliveira, and Lia Proti, will showcase international and local artists exploring themes of connection, emotion, and identity.

• Exclusive Film Premiere: Being Human, directed by Vyra Sachse, will debut at the event, featuring a collaboration of artists from the film, music, and fashion industries.

• Live Performances: The event will feature Moullinext music producer, an opera singer and other surprise performances throughout the day.

• AI-Powered Emotional Analysis: Immersive Neurofeedback Experience at TEDxMarvila Immersive Neurofeedback Experience, where the convergence of art, technology, and human cognition takes center stage. Our partner, MuLabs harnesses the power of biodata, artificial intelligence, and immersive audiovisuals to enhance the mind-body connection. So guests will be able to step into the Voxel Cube, an interactive environment where brain activity is transformed into unique AI-generated artwork in real-time, offering a profound visual representation of your neurological activity.

• Networking: Attendees can also network with like-minded individuals, participate in giveaways (including signed books from speakers), and engage with event sponsors in the partner hub area.

Harnessing the power of AI

“I think right now Portugal and the whole world is populated by AI and I know how important these industries are but I think we need to go back to basics and reflect on what it truly means to be human.”, shared Anel, who further revealed that next years edition is also going to be focused on something very basic but equally important, with the theme What is Love?”.

Driving transformation

"Supporting the first edition of TEDxMarvila reflects VIC Properties’ unwavering commitment to the Marvila community, aiming to further enhance the creativity, culture, and innovation that so distinctly define it. It is the power of ideas that drives transformation, whether in Marvila, Lisbon, or the world.

As such, we believe this event is the perfect platform for the responsible sharing of experiences and ideas that can foster the social and economic progress of our country,” said João Cabaça, co-founder and CEO of VIC Properties, lead sponsor of the event.

Anel reiterated “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our speakers, partners and the incredible volunteers who are making this event possible. A special thank you goes to our General Sponsor, VIC Properties, strategic partners like Martinhal Resorts, Delta, Monchique, Boco de Lobo, 3cket, Convento do Beato, Message in a Battle, KeepUsPostd, Stenomatic, CopyShop, Stenomatic, Rita Salgueiro, The Purple by Catarina for their unwavering support in bringing TEDxMarvila to life”.

Anel concluded by sharing "The impact of TEDxMarvila goes far beyond the day of the event. We want to foster connections that inspire meaningful action and generate creative solutions that benefit both the local and global community.”

For those eager to immerse themselves in a day of thought-provoking ideas and creative exploration, TEDxMarvila promises to be an unforgettable experience.

Tickets can be purchased here: tedxmarvila.com

Following undertaking her university degree in English with American Literature in the UK, Cristina da Costa Brookes moved back to Portugal to pursue a career in Journalism, where she has worked at The Portugal News for 3 years. Cristina’s passion lies with Arts & Culture as well as sharing all important community-related news.

Cristina da Costa Brookes