9th Lisbon Conference: Chinese Music and Musical Instruments
中国民乐与乐器:里斯本第九届研讨会
Lisbon/Mafra
5–8 May 2026
Deadline: 15 March 2026
Call for Participation: Ninth Edition of the Lisbon Conference on Chinese Music and Musical Instruments
We are excited to announce the ninth edition of the Lisbon Conference: Chinese Music and Musical Instruments, which will be held from 5 to 8 May 2026 in Lisbon and Mafra. This prestigious event will bring together scholars, musicians, and enthusiasts of Chinese music to explore the rich cultural heritage and the evolving traditions of Chinese musical instruments.
Event Hosts and Partners
- Institute of Ethnomusicology – Centre for Studies in Music and Dance (INET-md) at NOVA University, Lisbon
- European Foundation for Chinese Music (CHIME)
- Municipality of Mafra
- Confucius Institutes from Aveiro University
- Confucius Institute from Minho University
- Jorge Alvares Foundation
This conference is made possible with the generous support of the Jorge Alvares Foundation, whose longstanding commitment to the promotion of Chinese music in Portugal has been instrumental since the event’s founding in 2016.
Call for Contributions
We warmly invite researchers, scholars, students, and artists specializing in Chinese and Asian music to submit proposals for:
- Individual papers
- Panel discussions
We particularly encourage participation from academics, students, and music practitioners based in China, as well as in other Asian and Western countries. We believe their diverse perspectives—whether ethnomusicological, musicological, analytical, or rooted in firsthand experience as practicing musicians—will enrich our understanding of these traditions and stimulate innovative discussions.
Join us in Lisbon for this unparalleled opportunity to explore, discuss, and celebrate the diverse musical traditions of China and other Asian countries. Together, we can forge new connections, deepen our knowledge, and contribute to the global appreciation of Asian music and dance in our increasingly interconnected world.
Themes
- Music, Dance, and Performance in China
- Chinese Musical Instruments Through the Ages
- Macau and its Composers
- Cantonese Opera as an Expression of Identity in Macau
- Transmission of Chinese Music and Musical Instruments Along the Silk Road
- Urbanization, Modernity, and Popular Music in China and in other Asian Societies
- Technology, Media, and Digital Platforms in the Dissemination of Chinese and Other Asian Styles of Music
- Music in Other Asian Countries and Their Major Genres
- Asian Musical Instruments in Western Museums and Private Collections
- Other Topics Related to Asian Music, Dance, and Performance
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Scientific Committee
Enio de Souza (Chair), INET-md, NOVA University Lisbon
François Picard, Institut de Recherche en Musicologie, Paris
Frank Kouwenhoven, CHIME, Leiden
Helen Rees, UCLA Department of Ethnomusicology, Los Angeles
Pedro Roxo, INET-md, NOVA University Lisbon
Salwa El-Shawan Castelo-Branco, INET-md, NOVA University Lisbon
Shao Xiao Ling, DeCA, University of Aveiro
Susana Sardo, INET-md, DeCA, University of Aveiro
Programme Committee
Enio de Souza (Chair), INET-md, NOVA University Lisbon
Pedro Roxo, INET-md, NOVA University Lisbon
António Pedro, INET-md, NOVA University Lisbon
Joana Lopes, INET-md, NOVA University Lisbon
José Dionísio, Ciências Musicais, NOVA University Lisbon
Fees
€60.00 for researchers €10.00 for the general public
Deadline
The deadline for abstract submissions is 15 March 2026. Authors will be notified of abstract acceptance by 15 March 2026.
To submit your proposal or for further information, please contact Enio de Souza (Chair) at eniosouza@fcsh.unl.pt