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Portugal

  • Olá!        

    We are seven classes of primary schoolchildren (3rd and 4th Years) from three countryside villages – Aveiras de Cima, Vale do Brejo and Vale do Paraíso – part of the municipality of Azambuja, in the district of our country’s capital, Lisbon.

    The Portuguese culture is so interesting and varied. So, we picked some of the most important cultural symbols that you can see (or hear) when visiting our magical country.

    Here's a short video about our beautiful country - Portugal   

    We hope you enjoy our messages and one day visit our country!

    Adeus!

  • Welcome to Portugal!

    Portuguese Symbols

    The Portuguese guitar is one sound you will never forget, especially when accompanied by our national song, Fado. Tiles are also an omnipresent typical element of Portuguese architecture. Flowers have an important role in our country, not only because of their beauty but they are also used to represent popular festivals, like basil pots with poems dedicated to Saint Anthony, or carnations that represent the flower used during our liberation from dictatorship on 25th April 1974. The Rooster of Barcelos, The Heart of Viana and Lisbon’s Sardine are symbols developed from religious stories that today represent symbols of good luck in life, love and fortune.

    Portugal's Cultural Heritage

    Our country dates back to the period of pre-historic settlements and we have been visited and colonized by many civilizations, which have left marks in our territory, constructing markers, defensive structures, homes and places of worship to suit their requirements and means, which have had an intrinsic value to the Portuguese culture.
    Our monuments have been influenced by Greeks, Proto-Celts, Phoenicians, Romans, Visigoths, Suevi, Germanic tribes, Early Christians, Moors and Arab Berber peoples. We have lost and gained territory during the Christian “Reconquista”, the independence from Spain and the Age of Discovery. We have battled many rivals, ended our monarchy, instated a republic, suffered from dictatorship and now live democratically as a member of the European Union. During these periods, many buildings were destroyed, rebuilt, re-purposed as museums and closed, while other remained places of public use.

    Portuguese Festivities

    You will be surprised by the diverse mix of Portuguese festivals, celebrating sardines, religion, contemporary and classical music, and more. Most villages and towns in Portugal have their own traditional festival or pilgrimage celebrating Portuguese history, religion and culture, plus there are some great contemporary events.
    You’ll find Carnaval parades all over Portugal, while during Holy Week there are processions all over the country. Today there are many secular celebrations with parades of locals in folk costume, circus performances and fireworks. Huge numbers gather for the pilgrimage to Fátima, while the feast of St. Anthony fills the air with the smell of sardines grilling. We also have the running of the bulls in many towns of the Ribatejo area, where we celebrate the “campino” and have bulls let loose to run through the streets and foolhardy men trying to keep out of their way.

    Portuguese Traditional Clothing

    Traditional Portuguese clothing is not used daily. Special groups of people use them only for special occasions like town feasts or folk-dance shows. Depending on the area of Portugal you are from, the type of traditional dress changes. Some are humbler, for example if they represent a town on the Atlantic side in contrast to the villages of the interior. The further up to the Northeast you go, the fancier and the more colorful our traditional clothes get. Each outfit is a work of art!

    Portuguese Cuisine

    Portuguese cuisine has many Mediterranean influences and we use lots of spices coming from our former colonies. Olive oil, garlic, bay leaf and parsley are used in most dishes.
    Fish is served grilled, boiled, fried, stewed, roasted, or even steamed. We like salted cod, fresh sardines, octopus, shrimp and barnacles. “Caldeirada” is a stew consisting of a variety of fish and shellfish with potatoes, tomatoes and onions. As for meat, a common Portuguese dish is “Cozido à Portuguesa” or “Francesinha”.
    Cakes and pastries are also very popular in Portugal. Many of them were created in the Middle Ages’ monasteries by nuns and monks. Rich egg-based desserts are very popular in Portugal and are often seasoned with spices. Most towns have a local specialty.

    Portuguese Celebrities

    There are many famous Portuguese celebrities. Some of them helped build our country from a time when the only navigation done was by ship, while others have become famous for their roles in sports, music, fashion and diplomacy.
    We have been fortunate to have José Saramago (Nobel Prize in Literature in 1998), Salvador Sobral (Winner of the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest), Cristiano Ronaldo (captain of the 2016 UEFA European Champions) and António Guterres (UN Secretary-General) represent our values and traditions throughout the world. Not to mention our national type of song “Fado”, sung by the beautiful voices of Amália Rodrigues and Mariza, accompanied by the Portuguese guitar made famous by Carlos Paredes.