Latest news and stories about cultural diversity in Portugal for expats and residents.
Carlos Humberto da Silva Filho, founder of the startup Diaspora.Black, discusses the potential for afrotourism in Portugal, viewing the country as a strategic hub for heritage-based travel. Despite initial hesitation, the company has established a base in Lisbon to promote experiences that highlight African ancestral culture, arguing that confronting history is essential for economic and social growth.
Music is a universal language, despite containing a set of more or less symbolic codes that go beyond linguistic expression. The universal nature of organized sounds is exemplified by Lisa Gerrard, who uses her powerful voice as an instrument without concrete lyrics. During a recent event at the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, conductor Jordi Savall discussed the foundational moment of European music with baritone Jorge Chaminé and fado singer Katia Guerreiro, highlighting the creation of Ars Nova in the 14th century as a significant innovation in musical notation. This moment is described as the 'most beautiful thing' created in Europe, influencing all musical expressions to this day. The discussion also touched on the fragility of culture and the need for investment in the arts, with government representatives acknowledging the importance of cultural diversity. However, there was a disconnect as government officials left without addressing artists' criticisms, reflecting ongoing challenges in cultural investment.
Highlighting the 'mix of ethnicities, cultures and religions' from which Portugal was born, 'European from its roots', Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa stressed, in a speech to the European Parliament at the ceremony marking the country's 40 years in the European Union alongside Spain, the change that joining the common European project brought to the country.
