On the Track of Fado

Fado is one of the most outstanding cultural markers in both Portuguese culture and that of Lisbon and its historical neighbourhoods. Accordingly, Lisbon’s public venues — such as Fado houses, typical restaurants and wine bars — are important daily bases for the musical practices and the social interactions by which the Fado’s cultural heritage is produced and sustained.

In order to gain a reflexive insight into those aspects, the analysis will be based upon the available official data, including statistics provided by the Portuguese General Inspection of Cultural Activities, and the about thirty interviews carried out with Fado singers, musicians and aficionados for whom this highlighted musical form of the city emerges as an integral part of their personal stories.

So, to sum up, what is proposed here is an approach in two steps to a specific musical scene, which is deeply rooted in the city and particularly vibrant and expressive nowadays: first, pointing out statistical evidence of its predominantly urban implementation and, then, assessing the relevance given to long-term relationships whereby Fado singers, musicians and aficionados are creating and cultivating cultural forms and spaces that have meaning and value to them.