Raquel Tavares speaks without romanticising about the industry and the decision to stop when she no longer recognised herself. The fado singer explains her return to music and talks about the importance of now being able to decide for herself.
When I stopped, I was angry with the world. I was very hurt
Monday, 26 January 2026RSS
Context & Explainers
Fado is a traditional Portuguese music genre characterized by melancholic singing and themes of longing and fate, with distinct Lisbon and Coimbra styles; it was inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2011. For expats, fado is both a living cultural tradition and a common tourist experience — attending a small fado house in Lisbon or Coimbra offers insight into Portuguese history, language and social life.
