Portuguese "Blues"

At the beginning of June one of our groups participated in the EAACI conference in Lisbon. During their stay, we had the pleasure to organize an unusual event with the Association Fado Casto and to present the local tradition of Portuguese Blues. The Fado Casto Association is located in the heart of Alfama (Rua de São Mamede 8A), next to the cathedral of Lisbon. The old palace in Pombaline is definitely a unique place to organize a group event because it was built within the ruins of an ancient Roman theatre with vaulted stone floor and columns dating back to 18th century. It is a six meters high mystical space, which contributes to the unique acoustics of the place. The walls are covered with old Fado vinyl records and photos of over a thousand performers of this genre. There is a counter covered with three hundred magazine clippings and the original Diva Amália Rodrigues newspapers. The entire space has a didactic and musicological component. Fados are sung after dinner and throughout the night. During the event, our guests were served traditional Portuguese cuisine in authentic local clay dishes. Our guests decided that it was the most out of ordinary element of their stay in Lisbon.