International festival of Brazilian culture

Rijeka moves to the rhythm of Brazil.

From June 1 to 7, 2026, capoeira, samba dance, percussion, roda de rua, Brazil party, formatura and batizado bring together teachers, dancers, musicians and audiences from Croatia, Brazil and across Europe.

June 1 - 7, 2026 Rijeka, Croatia Capoeira, samba, rhythm Organizer: Mestre Abada

12. CapoeiraFest

A festival you do not just watch from the sidelines.

CapoeiraFest is a week of Brazilian culture where people learn, play music, dance and step into the roda. The program connects capoeira, carnival samba, Bahian rhythms, public presentations and gatherings that turn the city into an open workshop of movement.

7 days of rhythm and movement
6 program sections
100+ expected guests

Program

Workshops, streets and nighttime rhythm.

Each section has its own rhythm, but they all lead to the same experience: community, music and movement.

Capoeira workshop in a circle

Capoeira

Workshops for complete beginners and advanced capoeiristas. Technique, acrobatics, musicality, game strategy and work inside the roda.

Schedule and registration
Brazilian drums and percussion

Percussion and Brazilian rhythms

Five days of workshops with congas, pandeiro, djembe, atabaque, samba rural, samba chula and Bahian rhythms.

Schedule and registration
Samba dance workshop

Samba dance

Carnival samba, coordination, hip movement, rhythm awareness and freedom of expression without pressure or previous experience.

Schedule and registration
Capoeira Roda de Rua na Korzu

Roda de Rua

Capoeira moves onto the streets, squares and beaches of Rijeka. Follow updates, because locations depend on the weather and the daily program.

Learn more
Brazil party with samba dancers

Brazil party

Percussionists from Brazil, samba, Afro-Brazilian rhythms, capoeiristas and the dance energy of carnival in Rijeka.

Learn more
Open program for residents and visitors

Free program

Open activities for residents, visitors, children, parents, adult beginners and everyone who wants to feel the Brazilian rhythm.

Activity schedule

Open to everyone

Free activities during the festival.

The free program includes residents, visitors, children, parents, adult beginners, capoeiristas and Brazilian music lovers who want to experience the festival atmosphere without previous experience.

Monday June 1

Afro-Brazilian percussion and samba

Academia de Capoeira, Blaža Polića 2, 4th floor.

For beginners, residents and visitors. Led by Zé das Congas, Professor Kakinho and Contramestre Guê.

Thursday June 4

Percussion Jam & Brazil Party

Klub Mladih Rijeka.

An open evening for the audience, workshop participants and everyone who wants to hear Brazilian rhythms live.

Saturday June 6

Free capoeira workshop

Martial Arts Hall Sušak, Ružićeva 7.

For children, children and parents, and adults. Groups are formed according to age and participant experience.

Register for free capoeira
During the festival as announced

Roda de Rua

A public capoeira roda for passersby, the audience and festival participants on Korzo and other Rijeka locations.

During the festival details soon

Rhythm and music on the beaches

Informal gatherings with percussion, music and Brazilian rhythms on Rijeka beaches, according to daily announcements.

Capoeira games - play, rhythm and roda
Capoeira workshops - workshop atmosphere

Capoeira

Movement, fight, play and music in one circle.

Capoeira workshops are led by teachers, mestres and contramestres from Brazil and Europe. Beginners learn the basic movements, rhythm and philosophy of capoeira, while more advanced participants work on complex techniques, acrobatics, musicality and expression.

  • for children, adults, beginners and advanced participants
  • technique, roda, music, songs and improvisation
  • the special atmosphere of an international capoeira community

Schedule and registration

Capoeira workshops take place from June 5 to 7, 2026. The program price is 70 EUR.

Friday June 5

workshop and capoeira roda at Academia de Capoeira, Blaža Polića 2, 4th floor.

Saturday June 6

workshops at the Martial Arts Hall Sušak, Ružićeva 7.

Sunday June 7

final workshops at the Martial Arts Hall Sušak.

Locations may change. Follow social media for the latest information.

Zé das Congas - invitation to percussion
Contramestre Guê canta - rhythm and percussion energy

Percussion and Brazilian rhythms

Bahia through sound, hands and a shared pulse.

The workshops introduce Afro-Brazilian musical tradition through samba rural, samba chula and traditional percussion patterns. Previous experience is not required, and the focus is on organic learning through listening, repetition and collective music making.

  • led by Zé das Congas, Professor Kakinho and Contramestre Guê
  • basic rhythms, polyrhythm, syncopation and group improvisation
  • authentic instruments and rhythms from the community
  • location: Academia de Capoeira, Blaža Polića 2, 4th floor

Schedule and registration

Percussion workshops take place at Academia de Capoeira, Blaža Polića 2, 4th floor. The Monday-Friday program price is 50 EUR, and a single workshop is 30 EUR.

Monday June 1

free introductory class for all levels.

intermediate group.

advanced.

Tuesday June 2

joint workshop: beginners, intermediate group and advanced.

Wednesday June 3

beginners.

intermediate group.

advanced.

Thursday June 4

beginners and intermediate group.

advanced.

Klub mladih party.

Friday June 5

joint workshop: beginners, intermediate group and advanced.

Places are limited. Congas, pandeiro, djembe and atabaque are available at the academy. If you have your own instrument, bring it.

Carnival samba - Rio atmosphere
Samba de roda - what the workshop looks like

Samba dance

Carnival spirit in a workshop that moves the whole body.

Estrelinha leads the workshop through carnival samba and samba de roda: basic steps, coordination, rhythm, hip movement and body expression. The program is open to beginners and dancers with experience.

  • basic steps and feeling for the music
  • expression, energy and confidence in movement
  • a joyful atmosphere without stress or competition

Schedule and registration

The samba dance workshop takes place at the Martial Arts Hall Sušak, Ružićeva 7. The workshop price is 30 EUR.

Saturday June 6

carnival samba and samba de roda with Estrelinha.

Confirmed guests

People who bring knowledge, style and energy.

Confirmed performers and teachers for capoeira, percussion and samba dance.

Capoeira

Mestres, contramestres, professors and formados leading technique, musicality, game and roda experience.

Mestre Pitbull

Mestre Pitbull

Brazil / Greece

Capoeira
Mestre Biscuim

Mestre Biscuim

Brazil / London

Capoeira
Mestre Xis

Mestre Xis

Brazil / Hungary

Capoeira
Mestre Perigoso

Mestre Perigoso

Brazil / Italy

Capoeira
Contramestre Guê

Contramestre Guê

Brazil

CapoeiraPercussion
Contramestre Cavalo

Contramestre Cavalo

Croatia / Slovenia

Capoeira
Contramestra Katjusa

Contramestra Katjusa

Slovenia

Capoeira
Professor Kakinho

Professor Kakinho

Brazil

CapoeiraPercussion
Professor Peixinho

Professor Peixinho

Brazil / Austria

Capoeira
Professor Gavião

Professor Gavião

Serbia

Capoeira
Professor Aranha

Professor Aranha

Poland

Capoeira
Formada Dende

Formada Dende

Brazil

Capoeira
Monitor Taquara

Monitor Taquara

Hungary

Capoeira

Percussion

Bahian rhythms, samba rural, samba chula, instruments and collective music making.

Zé das Congas

Zé das Congas

Brazil

Percussion

Samba dance

Carnival samba, rhythm, coordination and body expression.

Estrelinha

Estrelinha

Samba dance

Samba dance
Roda de Rua on Korzo

Roda de Rua

The festival moves into the streets of Rijeka.

Depending on the weather, you will be able to find festival participants on city streets and beaches. Rijeka's Korzo is a meeting point for capoeiristas every year, and exact locations will be announced on social media.

Carnival samba as the highlight of the Brazil party

Party program

Afro-Brazilian rhythms and Rio in Rijeka.

Thursday, June 4 at 21:00 at Klub mladih: percussionists from Brazil, samba, Afro-Brazilian rhythms and percussion workshop participants.

Saturday, June 6: a Brazilian party with capoeiristas from around the world, percussionists and samba dancers. The location will be announced later.

A special moment in 2026

Formatura and Batizado.

This year the festival includes a formatura for several representatives of the Jacobina Arte Rijeka group. Members of the group will be promoted to a higher rank, giving the festival special meaning for the local community and international guests.

Thank you

Festival supported by.

Thank you to everyone who helps CapoeiraFest stay open, alive and accessible to the community.

LTD
Restoran Morčić
Abadea
Improver
Laser RI Poliklinika

Contact

Join the festival.

For registration, workshop information, arrival and accommodation details, contact the festival organizer.

CapoeiraFest June 5-7

For capoeiristas from other groups coming to the weekend workshops, rodas and festival program.

Guest registration

Percussion June 1-5

For participants in percussion and Afro-Brazilian rhythm workshops throughout the festival week.

Percussion registration

Samba workshop June 6

For participants in the carnival samba and samba de roda workshop with Estrelinha.

Samba registration

Free capoeira

For children, parents, adult beginners and passersby who want to try capoeira for the first time.

Register for free class

Organizer

Mestre Abada

Organizer, “Capoeira s nama” Association

+385 91 547 0877 abada@capoeira-rijeka.com