Inauguration of the Funchal 2025 Art and Design Biennale

The first Funchal 2025 Art and Design Biennial, with the theme ‘Ecology of Things’, opened on 25 March at the Funchal Cultural and Research Centre (CCIF), kicking off an intense and diverse programme with the exhibition ‘Eco Desígnios: Designing the Post-Anthropocene’, which features around 200 artefacts.

During the ceremony, which was attended by the President of the Regional Government, Miguel Albuquerque, and other entities, the Mayor of Funchal emphasised that the Municipality of Funchal wants the Biennale to be a national and international ‘brand’ and ‘reference’, like Funchal Jazz.
With an investment of 450,000 euros, the Biennale, which showcases more than 600 works, will run for more than three months, from 25 March to 29 June, transforming Funchal into a dynamic stage that stands out for its cultural diversity and sustainability, one of the main flagships of the current municipal executive, said Cristina Pedra, Mayor of Funchal, stressing that ‘the Biennale is yet another promise fulfilled’.
The mayor recalled that the event was conceived from the beginning of her mandate as a way of boosting culture in Funchal, reinforcing its role as a ‘driver of social, economic and human development’.
In the presence of the Minister of Culture, Dalila Rodrigues, the Biennial continues tomorrow with the opening of another exhibition ‘Comunicar Hoje’ (Communicating Today), which brings together 180 artefacts, at the Quinta Magnólia Cultural Centre, continuing a programme that will cover all the parishes in the municipality, with the aim of involving the whole city, its inhabitants and visitors.

Cristina Pedra thanked everyone involved in organising the Biennale who, with their commitment, contributed to making the event a reality, highlighting the contribution of coordinator Francisco Faria Paulino, curator Susana Gonzaga and Madeiran designer Nini Andrade.
The mayor of Funchal reiterated the current municipal executive’s commitment to culture, pointing out that 3.5 million euros had been allocated from the municipal budget to this sector in 2025. She also guaranteed that investment in the sector would continue to be a priority.
You can consult the programme at: https://bienalartedesign.funchal.pt/exposicoes/