Far beyond the shows and the striking guitars, the Dipanas Blues International Festival, which this year reaches its 14th edition, has established itself as one of the main cultural projects in Minas Gerais by transforming Pará de Minas, in the Central region of the State, into a great stage for experiences that unite culture, education, tourism, heritage, solidarity and economic development. Over the course of several weeks, the festival promotes a program that occupies different spaces in the city and region, expanding access to culture and bringing new audiences closer to the blues universe. The proposal is to make the event go beyond the limits of music and generate permanent impacts for the community. For the executive producer of Voodoo Produção Cultural, organizer of the event, Hugo Lacerda, the festival is much more than the simple union of artists on a stage. It brings social, cultural and educational actions that boost tourism in the city and the region. “When we say that Dipanas Blues is much more than music, we are talking about a project that generates experiences, creates opportunities and adds value to the population”, he states. Free circuit brings culture to different audiences One of the pillars of the festival is the free circuit, which takes place between June and August and takes attractions to schools, squares, tourist attractions and cultural spaces in Pará de Minas. Among the initiatives are Dipanas Blues at School, which this year welcomed around 400 students from the municipal school system in a show-class on the history of the blues, and Dipanas Blues Pipoca, an open-air cinema session that brought together more than 300 participants. The program also includes free presentations in strategic locations in the city, such as Christ the Redeemer, one of the main postcards of Pará de Minas, in addition to the cultural procession that runs along Rua Benedito Valadares to Praça da Matriz, promoting the occupation of public spaces through art and music. "Our objective is to democratize access to culture. The festival does not just take place inside an arena. It occupies the city, brings people closer to art and creates connections between music, education and coexistence. All the circuit's actions are free and open to the public", highlights Hugo. Ferris Wheel of the Dipanas Blues Festival Disclosure Dipanas Blues Vila do Blues creates an immersive experience for the public Among the festival's biggest differences is the Vila do Blues, a space designed to provide a complete experience for visitors. The starting point of the environment is Blues Street, a scenic street created especially for the event and inspired by the most famous blues street in the world, located in Memphis, Tennessee, in the United States. When walking through the space, the public will find themed facades, Instagrammable scenes, common areas and interactive experiences that encourage the discovery of new environments. The sponsoring companies are also part of the ambience, with personalized facades that integrate their brands into the festival's scenographic universe. “We understand that people are looking for experiences. Therefore, Vila do Blues was designed so that the public can fully experience the festival, exploring different environments, interacting with the history of the blues and creating memories that go far beyond the shows", explains the executive producer of Voodoo Produção Cultural. Tribute values history and local identity The 2026 edition also reinforces the festival's connection with the history and cultural identity of Pará de Minas. This year, Vila do Blues will have a scenographic space dedicated to Benjamin de Oliveira, an artist born in Pará de Minas, in 1870, recognized as the first black clown in Brazil and one of the most important names in Brazilian popular culture. The tribute aims to present the artist's trajectory to the public, valuing his contribution to national art and strengthening the festival's link with characters who helped build the country's cultural memory. Dipanas Blues promotes a large food collection campaign for social institutions in the municipality. In the last edition, around six tons of food were collected. This year, the expectation is to surpass this number, expanding the reach of the solidarity action. There are thousands of musical events, but we believe that Dipanas Blues can transform lives, strengthen the city and create opportunities. If we can positively impact one person's life with each edition, we will already be fulfilling our mission", concludes Hugo Lacerda. Service Dipanas Blues International Festival – 14th edition Theme: “Raízes” Main date: August 15, 2026 Location: Francisco Olivé Diniz Exhibition Park – Pará de Minas Tickets for the closing: On sale by Sympla, on the festival's official website, at Dipanas Bistrô (R. Nossa Sra. das Graças, 377 - Nossa Senhora das Gracas) and at Dipanas Snacks, a store located in the Fabrika Mall. The festival also offers solidarity entry by donating non-perishable food at the entrance to the event.