Capoeira
Workshops for complete beginners and advanced capoeiristas. Technique, acrobatics, musicality, game strategy and work inside the roda.
Schedule and registrationInternational 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.
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
Carnival samba, coordination, hip movement, rhythm awareness and freedom of expression without pressure or previous experience.
Schedule and registration
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
Percussionists from Brazil, samba, Afro-Brazilian rhythms, capoeiristas and the dance energy of carnival in Rijeka.
Learn more
Free program
Open activities for residents, visitors, children, parents, adult beginners and everyone who wants to feel the Brazilian rhythm.
Activity scheduleOpen 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
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.
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.
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
Brazil / Greece
Mestre Biscuim
Brazil / London
Mestre Xis
Brazil / Hungary
Mestre Perigoso
Brazil / Italy
Contramestre Guê
Brazil
Contramestre Cavalo
Croatia / Slovenia
Contramestra Katjusa
Slovenia
Professor Kakinho
Brazil
Professor Peixinho
Brazil / Austria
Professor Gavião
Serbia
Professor Aranha
Poland
Formada Dende
Brazil
Monitor Taquara
Hungary
Percussion
Bahian rhythms, samba rural, samba chula, instruments and collective music making.
Zé das Congas
Brazil
Samba dance
Carnival samba, rhythm, coordination and body expression.
Estrelinha
Samba dance
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.
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.
Atmosphere
CapoeiraFest in pictures.
Thank you
Festival supported by.
Thank you to everyone who helps CapoeiraFest stay open, alive and accessible to the community.
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 registrationPercussion June 1-5
For participants in percussion and Afro-Brazilian rhythm workshops throughout the festival week.
Percussion registrationSamba workshop June 6
For participants in the carnival samba and samba de roda workshop with Estrelinha.
Samba registrationFree capoeira
For children, parents, adult beginners and passersby who want to try capoeira for the first time.
Register for free classOrganizer
Mestre Abada
Organizer, “Capoeira s nama” Association
+385 91 547 0877 abada@capoeira-rijeka.com