Free programme showcases Portuguese Equestrian Art on the International Day of Intangible Cultural Heritage

Next Friday, October 17th, UNESCO will celebrate, for the second consecutive year, the International Day of Intangible Cultural Heritage, whose list came to include Portuguese Equestrian Art in December 2024. To mark this occasion and to promote awareness of this national cultural tradition, which symbolises the perfect harmony between horse and rider, the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art (Escola Portuguesa de Arte Equestre - EPAE) and the National Coach Museum —where the exhibition ‘Equestrian Art in Portugal: from the Picaria Real to the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art’ (‘Arte Equestre em Portugal: da Picaria Real à Escola Portuguesa de Arte Equestre’) is on display until December 14th — have prepared a special free programme taking place in Lisbon on that date.

Starting at 10:00 am at the National Coach Museum, the event opens with a guided visit to the exhibition ‘Equestrian Art in Portugal: from the Picaria Real to the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art,’ during which participants are invited to embark on a journey through time to discover the origins of this art. The exhibition brings together pieces from the collections of the National Coach Museum, the National Palaces of Queluz and Pena, the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art, the Diogo de Bragança Equestrian Art Library, and several private collectors. It also highlights the historical connection with the former Royal Riding Arena of Belém, where Queen Amelia founded the Royal Coach Museum 120 years ago.

At 11:00 am, participants will walk approximately 300 metres to the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art on Calçada da Ajuda, accompanied by its riders in full traditional attire.

The guided visit to the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art, whose mission is to promote the teaching, practice, and dissemination of traditional Portuguese equestrian art, begins at 11:30 am. This visit offers a unique opportunity to meet the horses and riders who, today, preserve this unique form of cultural heritage. During the thematic tour through the Páteo da Nora, participants will observe how the grooms care for the horses and watch the warm-up and suppleness exercises performed by riders dressed in period attire. Respecting each horse’s rhythm, health, and physical needs, these riders ensure the animals are properly trained for the high standards of the School’s galas and performances.

The programme will conclude between 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm with a performance showcasing the movements and choreographies of equestrian art, recreating the atmosphere of charm and elegance that once graced the Portuguese royal court in the 18th century.

Participation in this event is free of charge, but advance registration is required via the online form available on the Parques de Sintra website, no later than 10:00 am on October 17th. Each group is limited to 25 participants. Activities will take place simultaneously in two groups—one conducted in Portuguese and the other in English.

This initiative is jointly organised by Parques de Sintra and Museus e Monumentos de Portugal, with curation by the Escola Portuguesa de Arte Equestre and the National Coach Museum.

The International Day of Intangible Cultural Heritage was established by UNESCO to celebrate the diversity and richness of living heritage and to raise awareness of the importance of its safeguarding. It was first observed in 2024.