“Peixe em Lisboa” festival focused on fish and flavors returns to Lisbon

The 2nd edition of will "Peixe em Lisboa" will take place from April 18 to 26, 2009. At Pavilhão de Portugal, located in Parque das Nações, visitors will be able to find, from noon to mid-night, every day, special areas dedicated to Lisbon’s regional products such as olive oil, bread and the famous ginjinha liquor plus 2 wine bars, 2 beer bars and one devoted to spirits. More than 20 national and international chefs including Albano Lourenço (Quinta das Lágrimas - Coimbra), Dieter Koschina (Villa Joya - Albufeira), José Avillez (Tavares - Lisboa), Ricardo Costa (Casa da Calçada – Amarante) and Benoît Sinthon (II Galo d’Oro, Hotel Cliff Bay – Funchal) will lift the veil off the mysteries of seafood by offering a mouth watering assortment of dishes and some informative sessions focused in showing the importance of the fish on a balances diet. Admissions are 15 € per person and include a food tasting. This Lisbon Fish & Flavors festival offers a unique and magic combination between restaurants, live cooking shows, cooking courses, wine pairings gourmet products, live music throughout the event and, last but not least, the opportunity to taste the best wines, waters and beers. It will exist also a gourmet market, where is possible to get to know and buy the best coffees, chocolates, pâtés, olive oils, vinegars, cheeses, jams, etc., and discover the fascinating gourmet world. For more information visit http://www.peixemlisboa.com/

A unique museum in Lisbon entirely dedicated to the song of Portugal - O Fado

The “Museu do Fado” (the portuguese name for the Fado Museum) has reopened on October 3rd, 2008 in Lisbon. It is entirely dedicated to the music of Fado that is uniquely Portuguese. The museum, which is only 10 years old, was closed for the previous few months for renovations. Now, photographs of prominent Fado singers greet visitors can be seen through the museum’s three floors. On display for the first time are two works related to Fado by Jose Malhoa and Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro, two of Portugal’s top 19th century artists. An audio guide to the museum is also available in four languages, complete with Fados to choose from. Past recordings, biographies of the singers and historic musical programs are all part of the collection. Although Amalia Rodrigues was the first singer to take Fado outside of Portugal’s borders in the 20th century, new performers are achieving unprecedented success on the World Music stage around Europe and elsewhere. Mariza, Misia, Ana Moura, and Mafalda Arnauth are just some of the names being placed under the spotlight, and Lisbon’s Fado Museum will explain the story behind their sound. Videos of Fado performances, including Mariza’s appearance on CBS’ Late Show with David Letterman in the United States. www.museudofado.egeac.pt/ - Foto credit: http://www.mariza.com/ and Mariza Fans on Facebook.