Like any country, Portugal, and particularly the Algarve region, offers a real mix of cultural festas (Festivals), traditions and events. These traditions are a result of Portugal’s historical influences over many centuries. Festivals include the Paderne Mediaeval Festival and Loulé Festival
What of Portugal’s more recent history, from post revolution 1976 to the joining of the EU and to the present day. The influx of expats from many of the EU countries is having a profound effect on the present day cultural scene, at least for expats. There are clubs for: gardening, language learning, culture, various hobbies and miscellaneous entertainments. Many of the clubs and societies actively seek new members and offer a warm welcome.
There are a number of choirs in the region and I have a French friend who has tried to recruit me for a Barbershop choir she sings with in Portugal. “Barbershop in Portugal?” I hear you cry. If you look around you’ll find most things to do in the Algarve, but Barbershop is not the top of the list for most people. However, I have had a very entertaining time recently producing music videos for Bella a Cappella, the Algarve’s only Barbershop Choir. Check them out!
