Raquel Tavares speaks without romanticism about the industry and her decision to stop when she no longer recognised herself. The fado singer explains her return to music and discusses the importance of now being able to make decisions for herself.
When I stopped, I wasn't always okay. I was very hurt
Sunday, 25 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.
