Culture, Music

Musical expression is an important part of Portuguese culture. Especially influential is the country’s rich heritage of folk music, the origins of which can be traced to medieval troubadours. Portuguese folk music ranges from lively songs and dances to sad laments. Today, the distinctive musical art form of fado remains popular, especially in urban areas. Fado embodies the quintessential expression of saudade, a melancholy mood of longing for the Portuguese homeland. Fado originated among the working classes in Lisbon and is typically sung by one performer accompanied by two guitars.