German child abuser Christian Brueckner, 44, has been made an official suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann by the Portuguese authorities on Thursday. The suspect is currently in prison in Germany after raping a 72-year-old woman in 2005 in Praia da Luz, the same area Madeleine disappeared in 2007.
Madeleine McCann was a 3-year-old British toddler when she disappeared almost 15 years ago, in Praia da Luz in the region of Algarve in Portugal, while on holiday with her family. Also known as Maddie, she went missing from her family’s holiday rental apartment while her parents had dinner with friends at a nearby restaurant.
Christian Brueckner has been made an “arguido”, which translated to “named suspect”, but has not been arrested or charged. The only other suspects were Madeleine’s parents Kate and Gerry McCann who were named suspects in 2007 but later cleared.
The investigation has been conducted with the help of the British and German authorities. However, Christian Brueckner’s name has been in the media regarding this case previously, as in June 2020, German police stated that Brueckner was likely responsible for the disappearance and that Madeleine was likely dead. However, the case continues to be treated as a missing person case.
The Portuguese authorities’ decision to make him an official suspect could have been caused by the 15-year limit for prosecuting serious crimes in Portugal, which will expire next month.
Brueckner lived in the Algarve between 1995 and 2007 and along with raping a woman in 2005, stole from hotels and holiday rentals, falsified passports, and was also caught stealing fuel from a Portuguese harbor.
He is also being accused of raping a 20-year-old girl in the Algarve in 2004 to which he will face trial this year.
In his 15-minute speech to the Portuguese parliament on Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky compared Putin’s regime to the fascist dictator Antonio Salazar’s, a few days before the 25th of April celebrations marking 48 years of freedom in Portugal. Zelensky compared the fight for freedom of the Portuguese people in 1974 to that of the Ukrainians in 2022, stating “you know what we are feeling”.
In his classic green t-shirt and with a Ukrainian flag in the background, Zelensky described horrific Russian war crimes and asked Portugal for more weapons and sanctions, as well as humanitarian aid. Zelensky said Russian troops continue to bomb houses, supermarkets, schools, universities, and churches. He stated that in Mariupol, “a city as large as Lisbon”, “not one home was left intact”. Zelensky stated that over 500,000 Ukrainians have been captured and deported, “a number twice as large as the population of Porto“.
Zelensky called upon Portuguese companies working in Russia to stop doing so. He also asked the Portuguese parliament for “simple things”, as he stated, asking for “weapons so that we can defend ourselves strongly”.
The Ukrainian president alerted the parliament that after Ukraine, Russia will try to also invade Moldovia, Georgia, and Baltic countries, urging Portugal to help Ukraine become a European Union member state.
While most in parliament applauded the Ukrainian president at the end of the speech for 60 seconds, including President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, most of the government ministers, including Prime Minister Antonio Costa did not. This caused an uproar on social media, however, this is parliamentary tradition.
Tweet translation: Each day of war is another day of unbearable pain. The words we heard today by the president of Ukraine in parliament have shaken us.
There were six seats empty – those of the Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) who refused to witness the speech. Paula Santos from the PCP justified this previously: “…Volodymyr Zelensky that personifies a xenophobic and belligerent power, surrounded and sustained by forces of a fascist and neonazi nature, including of a paramilitary nature, such as the Azov Batallion”. In March, Zelensky banned all remaining left-wing parties in Ukraine, including socialist and communist parties.
The government announced on Thursday that face masks are no longer mandatory, with exceptions. Masks are still mandatory in two types of situations, in places frequented by vulnerable people such as in nursing homes and hospitals, as well as in locations that are difficult to air out and that have a high level of utilization such as public transport. Students are no longer required to wear masks in schools.
However, the measure only comes into place after the President approves it, but should be ready to go by the weekend. The state of alert has also once again been extended until May 5th, although it was set to end on Friday.
The Minister of Health, Marta Temido says that the covid-19 situation is progressing positively and that although the pandemic is not over, the current conditions allow for no longer making mask use mandatory in all situations.
Moreover, the rules surrounding covid-19 testing have been alleviated as testing will only occur in cases determined by the Directorate-General of Health of Portugal. A covid-19 certification is also no longer required in health services.
Marta Temido has stated that “the pandemic is not over” and there is a possibility that measures change once again. She told CNN Portugal, “If a new variant appears, there are unpredictabilities that we cannot master. In a new change of season, we will need to adapt our behaviors”.
In the heart of Portugal, just a short drive from Lisbon stands a region that is linked to wine production since time can tell. A land of monasteries, incredible noble farms, the Pure-Blooded Lusitano horse and beautiful cities and towns, the Tejo region is, without a doubt an open-air museum with an incredible winery.
The region, and more specifically its river, was the main waterway between the 2 Iberian capitals of Madrid and Lisbon. This meant that it was where a lot of the trade would happen, making Tejo one of Portugal’s richest regions. It also meant that it would sell a lot of its wines to the rest of the Iberian peninsula and, then, the rest of Europe, really early when compared to most of the other Portuguese wines (starting in the Middle Ages).
When it was first recognized, the wine region was known as ‘Ribatejo’ (meaning something like ‘Above Tejo’), as a way to differentiate from the region of ‘Alentejo’ (something like ‘After Tejo’). In 2009, however, it changed its name to simply the name of the river that crosses it: in English called ‘Tagus’, but in Portuguese ‘Tejo’. This river is definitely a decisive part of the wine production here, since it waters the “Terroirs” and maintains the climate, besides being a defining feature of the region’s culture and economy.
The Tejo region is known to produce a great quantity of wines who are of great quality, but also of great quantity. The quality is ensured by the region’s two labels of Tejo DOC (‘Denominação de Origem Controlada’ or Controlled Origin Denomination), for the higher level wines, and Tejo VR (‘Vinho Regional’ or Regional Wine)
This region is one of the oldest wine producing regions in Portugal. It has unique characteristics that create wonderful wines, for which is known and loved.
The history of winemaking in the Tejo region can be traced back to 2000 a.C. when the Tartessos started to plant vines next to the river. It is said that Afonso Henriques, the first King of Portugal, referred to the wines in the ‘Foral de Santarém’, in 1170, the document that gave the statute of city to Santarém.
Around this time, after the conquest of the region by Portugal, the King gave land to trustees that would plant olive trees and vineyards in them, which kickstarted the production of this good in the region.
Fast-forwarding to the Age of Discovery, in the 1400s, the region gained a new importance. Portuguese explorers traveled the trade routes from Europe through Africa and Asia. These ships came out of the Tagus (Tejo) River estuary, in Lisbon, packed with Portuguese wine and supplies.
200 years later, Santarém, a city in the region, developed new economic importance, becoming the main supplies of goods to Lisbon, all from ships sailing the Tejo. Some of these suppliers were agricultural estates owned by the Portuguese royalty itself, like the Companhia das Lezirías, which now has wonderful agricultural farmland, bird sanctuaries, cork forests, and vineyards.
Santarem. Photo by Rémy Penet (Unsplash)
In 1765, just like with the wines of Alentejo, the vines disappeared due to the order by the Marquis of Pombal, Portugal’s “sort of” Prime Minister at the time, which was scared that these wines would destroy the traditional wines of Douro.
Thankfully, they came back, and, in 1989, six ‘Indicações de Proveniência Regulamentada’ (Regulated Provenience Indication) were created for wines in the region. Then, in 1997, this grew to encompass the whole region and the Regional Wine Commission of Ribatejo was created, named Regional Wine Commission of Tejo in 2009. All of these organs protect the region’s wines and assures their quality.
Tejo Region
The Tejo region can be further divided into 3 areas, each with its own particularities: Bairro, Charneca, and Campo.
Bairro
The Bairro soils are on the north of the Tagus River. It’s an irregular terrain, characterized by hills and plains, with altitudes not bigger than 200 meters. It’s rich in limestone, clay and, if we go a bit more north, also schist.
Charneca
This zone is placed south of the Tagus. It’s dry and flat, with poor and sandy soils, which makes the vines struggle, producing a more complex grape. It’s also an area of high temperatures, which makes the grapes mature faster.
Campo
The last zone is on the edges of the Tagus, on the riverbank. This means it has a more maritime climate, with moderate temperatures, which helps contribute to the acidity of the wines, as well as making it fresher and fruitier. The soils in the region give good drainage, sustaining the vineyards.
These zones are further divided into 6 subregions. These are Almeirim, Cartaxo, Chamusca, Coruche, Santarém, and Tomar.
Tejo Wine Traditions
In Tejo, there are many local winemaking traditions but also many Portuguese winemaking traditions that have begun to disappear all over the country but that remain intact here. Some of these are:
Harvest by the Community
In the Tejo region, most of the harvest continues to be taken care of by the local community. The local women from the villages hand-harvest the grapes while singing traditional folk songs.
Foot-treading
Like in many parts of Portugal, at least in the old days and in the traditional wineries, the communities use large stone tanks known as ‘lagares’ and crush the grapes by foot. This is considered a more gentle way to process the grapes and prevents the seeds from being crushed with the pulp, which is said to compromise the flavor.
Use of Cork from the Local Forests
The wines are usually sealed in the bottle using native cork from the nearby forests. Cork is native to Portugal, with the country producing nearly half of the world’s demand. The Tejo region itself has over 30.000 acres of cork forest, with the Coruche municipality (also in the region) being the largest cork producing area in the country!
This product is also harvested by hand, just like traditionally it was.
Tejo Terroir
The soils are usually of 4 types:
Schist (near Tomar)
Alluvial soils: very fertile in an area periodically flooded by the river)
Clay and limestone: on an irregular zone, with more vineyards and olive tree production
Sandy: a soil with low productivity, since it’s in a very dry area with high temperatures compared to the rest of the region (making the maturing process faster).
Tejo Wine Types
There are many wine types in Tejo, from white to red, passing through the sparkling and liquory. All of these wines are unique due to the region they grow in, but especially because of the soils and grape varieties that they are made with.
White Wine
The white wines produced in Tejo are diverse wines with lots of aromas, depending on the varieties and soils in which they are produced.
Preferencial soil: Campo and Charneca
Red Wine
The Tejo red wines are linked to several Portuguese grape varieties and, more recently, to a mix between these and international varieties. These have started to become very well-known both in Portugal and outside.
Preferencial soil: Charneca and Bairro.
Rosé
Preferencial soil: Campo and Charneca.
Sparkling Wine
This wine is a wine that, traditionally, obtains its effervescence from a second alcoholic fermentation process that happens inside the bottle, getting a pressure due to the CO2 that builds up there (over 3 bar).
Fizzy Wines
A fizzy wine has less gas than sparkling wine (between 1 and 2.5 bar of pressure, while sparkling wines have 3 bar), with this process occurring naturally or with the addition of carbon dioxide. It has an alcohol content of at least 9% and, like sparkling wines, it can be more or fewer sweets. It’s mostly common on Vinho Verde, in the Minho region in the North of Portugal, but also here in Tejo.
Preferencial soil: Campo.
Liquory
Made by adding alcohol (pure, ‘aguardente’ or brandy) during the fermenting process. This suspends the transformation of the sugar into alcohol and makes the wine sweeter and more alcoholic in content.
Preferencial soil: Charneca and Campo.
Late Harvest
A wine made with the over-mature grapes almost turned into raisins in the vine tree. This natural aging makes the grapes have a high volume of sugar.
Preferencial soil: Bairro, Charneca and Campo.
Tejo Grape Types
For red wines, most of the grapes used by the producers are Touriga Nacional, Trincadeira, Castelão, and Aragonês. Syrah, Alicante Bouschet, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot are international grape types also planted in the region.
As for white wines, the main grapes used are Arinto, Fernão Pires, Alvarinho and Verdelho. We can also find Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay among the international grapes used in Tejo.
Tejo Wine Suggestions: Best Tejo Wine
If you’re looking to try these wines that grow from the waters of the mythical Tagus, here are some brands that have excellent wines according to the 2021 ‘Concurso de Vinhos do Tejo’ (Tejo Wine Contest):
This amazing tour allows you the opportunity to explore the vineyards of a 12th-century winery on a horse-drawn carriage in the wonderful Tejo region. You will also try the estate’s wine, together with some Portuguese bread and sausage. After that, you will see the traditional cities of Almeirim and Vieira do Escaroupim, in the Tagus Estuary Natural Reserve, before going to another wine estate to see the Lusitano horses, unique to Portugal, and enjoy yet another wine taste.
If you’re around Lisbon and want to get a taste of the Tejo (literally), this is a great trip. You will have the opportunity to horseback ride yourself, under the guidance of a professional, of course, together with a wine taste of the region’s wines and a delicious Portuguese lunch!
The Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) announced on Wednesday that they will not be present in parliament during Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky’s speech, according to CNN Portugal. The party voted against having the president make a speech in the Portuguese parliament. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will make the speech via video call to the Portuguese parliament on April 21. The speech will happen at around 5 pm and the President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa will be present.
Paula Santos from the PCP has provided an explanation for this reaction, arguing Zelensky “personifies a xenophobic and belligerent power”.
She states: “PCP will not participate in a parliamentary session that is giving a platform to the instigation of an escalation of the war, that contradicts a path to peace through the participation of Volodymyr Zelensky that personifies a xenophobic and belligerent power, surrounded and sustained by forces of a fascist and neonazi nature, including of a paramilitary nature, such as the Azov Batallion”.
Santos believes that Zelensky’s video speech to the parliament does not contribute to a path to dialogue that would promote a cease-fire. She goes on to say that he symbolizes a power that has for eight years “attacked and massacred his own Ukrainian population in the region of Donbas and eliminate those who oppose him”, promoting “political persecution” such as by making the Ukrainian Communist Party illegal.
As a representative for PCP, Santos states the party is against the Russian government and Vladimir Putin and that the party’s ideology is in direct contradiction with the political forces governing capitalist Russia.
However, she also believes that the economic sanctions against Russia will not solve the conflict and are not a solution for the European people, as PCP has made clear. After being berated by journalists for an alternative solution, Paula Santos argued a solution must be established that finds a compromise, considering differing interests and allowing for dialogue.
Lisbon bars are renowned as some of the best in Europe, offering a unique experience. Many line the cobblestone streets, with people filling these picturesque Lisboeta streets at night with a drink in hand. Lisbon bars play a large role in the nightlife routine of a local. You rarely only plan a night out in a club, but rather head to a bar after dinner and stay there until at least 1 AM, only then heading to your favorite Lisbon club. It’s important to find the right bar for you, one that will probably still be with you and become a part of your nightlife routine, as well. In no time, you’ll be asking the Portuguese bartender for “o costume, por favor” (the usual, please). If you’re overwhelmed by the endless nightlife options, we have selected our favorite bars in Lisbon so that you can avoid the tourist traps and experience Lisbon like a local.
Pensao Amor translates to “Love In” and is located in Cais do Sodre, near the city’s old red-light district. The building was once a brothel house and is decorated with peep show and burlesque memorabilia. While the bar is currently under renovation, it is set to reopen soon. This dim-lit bar is known for its romantic atmosphere with mirrors and paintings of nude people covering the inside of the bar.
2. Bahr at Bairro Alto Hotel
Bahr is a restaurant and bar at the Bairro Alto Hotel. Run by Michelin Star Chef Nuno Mendes, the Bahr is located on the hotel’s rooftop. The interior is designed by The Studio, a simple room with intricate details and an open-space kitchen. Take the elevator to the fourth floor and enjoy one of the best views of the Tejo River and the nearby rooftops. Bahr is open from early morning to midnight.
3. O Palheta
Under three years old, O Palheta is located in Cais do Sodre and is always filled with young people having a drink before going out clubbing. You can expect good music, cool vinyl records, and cheap drinks. The inside of the bar is quite small, as well as cozy and well decorated. Most people stand outside the bar anyway, socializing and having a drink: the “Lisboeta” way.
4. Park Bar
Park bar is one of the trendiest rooftop bars in Bairro Alto and all of Lisbon. Prepare to be confused when you arrive at the address. You’ll only see a huge parking garage filled with cars. Take the elevator in the parking garage and take it to the top floor. You’ll be surprised to see one of the best views of Lisbon and a terrace filled with greenery and wooden tables. This place has panoramic views of the Santa Catarina church, as well as the 25 de Abril bridge. Park Bar serves trendy cocktails, sangria, and burgers that are to die for.
5. Lost in Esplanada Bar
The trendy bar Lost in is located in Principe Real and offers a panoramic view of the city from its terrace. The colorful bar and restaurant have two main areas: an outdoor viewpoint terrace with blankets and an indoor winter terrace. The menu features healthy meals and vegetarian options such as prawn curry and vegan burgers.
6. Sky Bar
Located in the iconic Avenida da Liberdade, Sky Bar has been a Lisbon favorite for 10 years. This bar has been recently renovated as an extension of the Restaurant SEEN and offers a glamorous environment. Located on the 9th floor of the Tivoli Avenida hotel, visitors get a view of the Castle of Saint Jorge and the Tejo river, as well as the Arrabida mountains. You can try one of their signature cocktails while listening to the sound of their resident DJ.
7. Topo
Located near Rossio, Topo is a trendy bar known for its cocktail menu, run by Luis Domingos who is involved with bars such as Pharmacia. The menu is rotative, changing its 10 cocktail options, as well as selling fruit juices and smoothies. The bar is also committed to culture, the space featuring artists’ work and musical artists regularly coming in to perform. The bar also features large windows and an outdoor terrace providing views of Lisbon homes and the Castle of Saint Jorge.
Located in the heart of LX Factory, an area with more than 50 shops and restaurants, this rooftop bar is situated at the top of LX Hostel. The hostel is regularly filled with young international people, providing a vibrant and cosmopolitan environment. LX Hostel Rooftop opens in the afternoon where you can enjoy a selection of cocktails, beers, and wines just in time for sunset. Decorated in a boho-chic vibe, the rooftop is filled with tables and relaxing couches to enjoy a drink with a panoramic view of Lisbon.
9. Zé dos Bois Gallery
Founded in 1994, Galaria Ze dos Bois (ZDB) is a large art center in the heart of Bairro Alto. ZDB produces exhibitions, hosts over 150 art events the year, and also offers musical and dance performances. While this place is known as an art center, ZDB is an equally nice place to grab a drink, welcoming a more alternative scene. The place features an outdoor terrace for those warmer nights and a large indoor space with plenty of seating area. The best nights to visit are when a show is on and you can check their program online.
Portuguese soccer play Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez announced on Monday that one of their children has passed away at birth. Rodriguez was pregnant with twins. In a statement in English, Portuguese, and Spanish the couple sadly stated that their baby boy had passed away.
“It is the greatest pain that any parents can feel. Only the birth of our baby girl gives us the strength to live this moment with some hope and happiness”, the couple announced in a statement on social media. Ronaldo and Rodriguez also thanked the medical professionals for their care and support.
Manchester United has confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo will not play against Liverpool tonight.
Oven-baked, with cream, à Brás, à Gomes de Sá, the options are endless. The Portuguese say that there are 1001 ways to cook cod, also known as bacalhau in Portugal. Cod is a natural treasure, one that is connected to Portuguese history, from the Portuguese discoveries to the end of a fascist dictatorship.
Interestingly enough, salted cod is not even caught on the Portuguese coast, but rather from Norway. The Portuguese consume over 100,000 tonnes of salted dried Norweigian cod, almost 10 kilograms per person every year. You could say the Portuguese are pretty hungry for cod, consuming 20% of the world’s cod.
And we have been doing so for centuries. The Portuguese began consuming cod in the fourteenth century when Portugal and England would trade salt for codfish. In the mid-1500s, the Portuguese stumbled upon another place to get their cod from. In the midst of the discoveries and while trying to find the coast of India, they found themselves in Canada and Greenland.
The conditions for fishing cod there were beyond perfect, from Canada’s shallow banks and an abundance of plankton to attract plenty of fish. Portugal decided to start fishing their cod in Canada, calling the codfish the Bacalhau da Terra Nova. But as they say, all good things come to an end. By the sixteenth century, the French and English took over the fishing industry in the area.
Portugal became heavily dependent on the English as the main exporter of cod to the country. However, cod was a bourgeois delicacy not available for all. Until the nineteenth century, cod was a dish available only to the aristocracy and the rich. The masses only began having access to the unique taste of cod by the nineteenth century, where the amount of salted cod in Portugal increased due to how easy it was to conserve, in contrast to fresh fish.
Codfish became even more popular during the Estado Novo, under the dictatorship of António de Oliveira Salazar. Prior, Portuguese fishermen did not fish cod, instead of having it imported from England and France.
Under the regime, starting in 1934, to make sure cod remained a national symbol, Portuguese fishermen were sent off to Canada and Greenland to fish cod. Fishermen would bring back over 900 tons of salted fish in one boat, after facing the hard and dangerous conditions at sea. Men would fish for 10 hours a day on small boats, facing frightening waves and winds. Many never made it back home to their families.
The year that the fascist dictator of Salazar fell, so did the Portuguese fisherman voyages to Canada and the violent labor regime they were subjected to. At that time, laws about overfishing also increased throughout Europe, culminating in a full ban of cod fishing in Canada in the 90s.
The Portuguese were forced to change their ways, but the tradition of cod never went away. Today, most of the cod in Portugal is imported from Norway, known as o Bacalhau da Noruega.
From a young age, millennial Portuguese kids watched the grand adverts on television, boasting bearded Norwegian men facing the treacherous waves to fish our beloved bacalhau. 70% of all cod consumed in Portugal is imported from Norway, while a tiny amount of Portuguese fishermen still go out to sea in Norway to fish.
Most cod imported to the country is salted and dried to maintain its shelf life for a long period since it’s coming from over 3,000 kilometers away. In fact, 95% of the cod consumed in Portugal is dried and salted. Portuguese people have only started eating fresh cod in the last 10 to 20 years when it started appearing in more contemporary restaurants.
Cod fishing in Norway. Photo by Bhavishya Goel
So, why is cod so popular in Portugal? Our love for cod is habitual. Don’t take this the wrong way, codfish dishes are delicious. The taste is like no other, the saltiness and strong flavor. But the reality is that cod dishes have been passed down in Portuguese families from generation to generation and the Portuguese have made it a habit to consume cod.
Every Christmas eve codfish is the main player, even for non-religious families. In a way cod is like any other Catholic tradition, we abide by some of the Church’s traditions because that’s the way it’s always been. Christian Portuguese people were not allowed to eat meat on fasting days of the Catholic calendar, leading to the tradition of eating cod on Christmas eve. The meal is simple. The cod is baked in the oven and served with boiled cabbage, eggs, and potatoes.
On Christmas day, many Portuguese families eat Roupa Velha which translates to Old Rags. This dish was created to not waste any food, a peasant-like lunch that consist of mixing the leftover codfish, potatoes, cabbage, and eggs. It is unlikely that you will find this dish in Portugal unless it’s Christmas day.
Women at a fish market in Portugal. Photo by Madras91 (Flickr)
Although it takes center stage on Christmas, bacalhau is part of our everyday life, like a baguette to the French and fries to the Belgian. Walking through a food market in Portugal, you will sense the smell of cod from a mile away. While the scent might bother tourists, to the Portuguese, it brings a sense of comfort.
Kilos of salted cod will be stacked up on tables, with customers touching the product to find the perfect one for their meal. Whether Bacalhau à Brás, a shredded cod dish with eggs, or Bacalhau à Lagareiro, baked cod with potatoes, the cod you picked out at the local market matters.
Not just for its taste, but due to its cultural significance and heritage, as well as the belief that we must support Portuguese fishmongers, usually older men and women. However, the price of cod has been increasing exponentially, where today most cannot afford a whole cod. It seems that unfortunately, cod could be on the way to becoming, once again, a product available only to the most wealthy.
After two summers in a row with no festivals due to COVID-19, Portugal’s music scene is coming back to life. Portugal hosts some of Europe’s best music festivals, inviting internationally renowned artists from all genres from rap to rock and electronic music. The best part – along with experiencing a much-needed musical experience, you’ll get the chance to travel to Portuguese places that are often sadly forgotten such as Braga and Sesimbra. Whereas the line-up at Glastonbury (UK) might sound appealing, dancing in puddles of rain, not so much. Portuguese music festivals have just as amazing line-ups for more affordable prices and warmer summer nights. Here are our top 8 music festivals in Portugal to make your summer 2022 one to remember.
1. Boom Festival 22 – 29 July 2022
Boom festival is probably the most iconic trance music festival in Europe or even the world. A sustainable, psychedelic and multidisciplinary festival Boom happens every two years, always in sync with the full moon. Located in Herdade do Jambujal, Aguas de Moura, the festival is committed to the following mantras: Oneness, Music, Peace, Arts, Environment, Culture, and Love. A 100% independent festival, each edition of the festival has a theme, such as The Feminine (2014) and Sacred Geometry (2018). The theme for 2022 is Anthropocene. The prefix, Anthropos, means human beings and the noun is a reference to a “geological era marked by human action that has profoundly impacted the environment”. Boom Festival is not merely a musical festival, but a larger spiritual experience, with meditation workshops, naked lava baths, and more activities available. This place is one of openness where you are allowed to express yourself without judgment.
Festival Paredes de Coura is one of the oldest festivals in Portugal, for the last 26 years inviting the best names in the national and worldwide music industry to perform. The festival has made the list of the top 5 music festivals in Europe by Rolling Stone. Located in Praia Fluvial do Taboão in Caminho do Agrelo, Paredes De Coura is known for its alternative music scene. This year’s performers include Arlo Parks, Princess Nokia, Beach House, The Blaze, Slowthai, The Comet Is Coming, Yellow Days, and more. The festival also dedicates a whole day to Portuguese music, highlighting major artists such as Sam The Kid and Linda Martini.
3. Super Bock Super Rock 14 – 16 July 2022
Photo by Shio IG @shishio_k
Founded in 1995, Super Bock Super Rock is named after its main sponsor, Super Bock, the iconic Portuguese beer brand. Located in Meco, Sesimbra, the festival has altered its focus on rock throughout the years, now welcoming a variety of music genres. From The Cure to Metallica, as well as more recently artists such as Mac DeMarco and Tom Misch, Super Bock Super Rock seems to satisfy plenty of music lovers. With four different stages: the main Palco Super Bock, Palco EDP, Palco LG by Radio SBSR, and Palco Somersby, this festival gives a platform to artists of all sizes, including upcoming Portuguese performers. This year’s 26th edition of Super Bock Super Rock welcomes the one and only ASAP Rocky, as well as Nathy Peluso, Leon Bridges, Filipe Karlsson, and more.
O cartaz do Meco não pára de crescer! Já tens o teu bilhete?
Conhece o line-up atualizado do Super Bock Super Rock 26º. 🎸 pic.twitter.com/aZ74I6N1JG
Photo taken in 1971 at the first rock festival in Portugal, Vilar de Mouros. Photo by EDP Vilar de Mouros IG @edpvilardemouros
Located in Vilar de Mouros in the North of Portugal, EDP Vilar de Mouros is the oldest Rock festival in the Iberian Peninsula. In the mid-’60s, the festival was an event for traditional folk music from the Alto Minho and Galicia regions. A few years later, in 1971, the festival was the first in Portugal to feature rock music artists such as Manfred Mann’s Earth Band. The 1971 edition of the festival has been called the “Portuguese Woodstock” where still under a fascist dictatorship, many found a little piece of freedom. The festival went on until 2006 and has only again been organized annually since 2016. This summer, EDP Vilar de Mouros welcomes Placebo, Iggy Pop, Bauhaus, Limp Bizkit, and more.
Located in Alges, a 10-minute train ride from Lisbon, NOS Alive’s first edition happened in 2007 (when it was named Optimus Alive). The festival is known to have the most well-known line-up in Portugal, along with Rock in Rio, adding to its international popularity. In 2009, the British magazine NME named NOS Alive one of the top 12 European festivals. The 16th edition of NOS Alive welcomes The Strokes, The War On Drugs, Florence + The Machine, Alt-J, Metallica, Stormzy, Jorja Smith, Two Door Cinema Club, Phoebe Bridgers, and much more. The festival has invested in inclusive infrastructure for this year’s edition, now boasting platforms for disabled mobility for a more convenient entrance, as well as an area for pregnant women to enter.
6. NOS Primavera Sound 9 – 11 June 2022
Photo by Eduardo Filho IG @edrpf
Primavera Sound is one of the largest music festivals in Europe and the largest in the Mediterranean. The Festival’s success in Barcelona led to its expansion to Porto, Portugal in 2012. This year four new counterparts will also be launched in Los Angeles, Santiago de Chile, Buenos Aires, and Sao Paulo. The 2019 edition of Primavera Sound in Porto welcomed over 220,000 people with similar numbers set for the 2022 edition. This year’s festival line-up in Porto includes Tame Impala, Gorillaz, Nick Cave, Grimes, Jhay Cortes, Little Simz, and more. The festival presents all music genres including indie, rock, and pop, as well as electronic music.
The Primavera Sound journey began with Porto ✈️
Grimes DJ set, Interpol, Jhay Cortez and Chico da Tina are the new confirmations for NOS Primavera Sound 2022! ✨ pic.twitter.com/Cu7thkeuFq
For the last 10 years, Neopop is one of Portugal’s most well-known electronic music festivals, located in the town of Viana do Castelo in the region of Braga. If you are a techno fan, put Neopop on your festival bucket list. The festival is located within a 16th-century fort wall and an industrial harbor site with shipping containers. This year, Neopop welcomes Paula Temple, Nina Kraviz, Dax J, DJ Nobu, and more. Special tip: if you are camping on-site, bring loads of water as temperatures can get quite hot in August. Neopop is also organizing an event in Lisbon on June 10 featuring Dax J, Kobosil, and more.
8. Rock in Rio 18 – 26 June 2022
Photo by Atir Cuesta IG @atir_poison
Originating in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Rock in Rio branched out to Lisbon in 2004, with over 350,000 people in attendance. After four years without Rock in Rio, Lisbon will host its 9th edition at Bela Vista Park. This edition was initially meant to take place in 2022 but was postponed two years in a row due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s edition welcomes the Foo Fighters, The National, the Black Eyed Peas, Ellie Goulding, Post Malone, Anitta, and more.
⬇️Please share your favorite music festivals in Portugal in the comments below ⬇️
Portugal has one of the lowest birth rates in the EU, standing at 7.7% in 2021. The birth rate has been decreasing exponentially since the 1950s. The average age that a mother has her first child in Portugal is 29.9 years old, a number that has been rising. We can attribute this to an improvement in gender equality, access to contraception, as well as the sad reality that many Portuguese are not paid enough to raise a child.
The Portuguese are having fewer children and choosing to start a family later in life. Is Portugal still a good place to have a baby? Yes. Portugal has a strong public health care system which makes it essentially free to have a child (if you are a resident). The quality education system, public parks, and sunny weather make Portugal one of the best countries in Europe to start a family. The Portuguese government is also planning to implement measures to fight the decline in the birth rate. Along with free childcare, the government will provide fiscal deductions for families with children, as well as free textbooks and free computers.
This guide to having a child in Portugal will help you with everything you need to know about the process as an international.
Pregnancy & Prenatal Care in Portugal: What’s it like to be pregnant in Portugal?
Being pregnant in a country where you are granted basic rights and protections fosters a positive experience. Pregnant women have health and employment rights in Portugal, many that are inexistent in the US and UK, unfortunately.
Under the public health care system, you will have certain free pre-natal care rights. Both Portuguese and foreigner pregnant women hold the same rights if they reside in Portugal for more than 90 days. You will have the right to free consultation all throughout the pregnancy, as well as 60 days after birth.
To be able to access public prenatal services, you must first register with a health center. You will have tests, examinations and ultrasounds carried out by your general doctor or local health care center. Keep in mind that some medical staff do not speak English fluently, so either commit to learning Portuguese or bring someone who speaks the language with you.
When you find out you’re pregnant, book your first prenatal appointment as soon as possible, preferably before the first 12 weeks. You will then have an appointment every four to six weeks until the 30th week, every two to three weeks until the 36th week, and every one to two weeks until birth. At your first appointment, you will receive a pregnancy booklet where your progress and medical records will be recorded. Keep this with you throughout your pregnancy and bring it to the birth.
Pregnant people are also entitled to certain employment rights. To benefit from these, you must inform your employer that you are pregnant by presenting them with a medical certificate. You can obtain this medical certificate through your health care center. Make sure you put this in writing so that you have proof that you are a pregnant worker.
After putting this in writing, as a pregnant worker, you will be protected by the law. If your employer fires you, they must do so for “just cause”, known as justa causa in Portuguese. The case for dismissal must be submitted for evaluation with the Commission for Equality in Work and Employment. If this commission finds that someone was fired because the employer discriminated against them for being pregnant, the dismissal will be revoked. The pregnant person can even ask for financial compensation for injury.
Pregnant women also have the right to maternal leave, which we will discuss in detail further down. This does not just apply to after birth. Women have 120 days to take off while getting paid at 100%, of which 90 must be taken after birth. That means that pregnant women can take off 30 days before birth. However, they do not need to do this and can leave these 30 days for after the birth, if preferable.
Giving birth in Portugal
When you’re closer to your due date, your doctor will send you to a consultation at the hospital where you will be giving birth. You will go over your birth plan, such as what type of anaesthesia you would like or who will be present at the birth. Births in the public health care system usually occur during the 40th week. In Portugal, you will be offered a “natural” birth and a cesarian will only take place if necessary, with your consent. After the birth, you will stay at the hospital under care for 38 to 72 hours.
You can also choose to give birth through the private healthcare system, at your own cost. Here, you are more likely to get a cesarian, as well as be able to have a home birth with a private midwife. If an emergency occurs during delivery, you will still be covered for this through your public health cover. It’s also important to note that while private hospitals can provide you extra comfort such as your own private room, in case of emergency, it’s wise to stay close to a public hospital. Public hospitals have the qualified staff and specialized equipment necessary to tackle emergencies.
Photo by Alex Hockett (Unsplash)
How much does it cost to have a baby in Portugal?
The cost of giving birth in Portugal can be zero, under the public health care system. However, if you choose to have a baby in the private sector, you will pay the price. Having a baby in a private hospital in Portugal can cost you between €2,900 and €6,000. If you have private insurance, it will help you cover these costs, many insurers paying for the entirety of the birth and hospital stay.
Registering a birth in Portugal
When you have a baby in Portugal, you MUST register the birth. This is free and mandatory. You can do this in person or online and either parent can do so, they do not need to be married. To do it in person, you need to go to a Civil Registry Office (Conservatoria do Registo Civil), within 20 days after the birth. Sometimes you can also access this service at the maternity ward of the hospital where you give birth. This is where you would also give the documents that could make your child eligible for citizenship which we will discuss further on.
Will my child get Portuguese citizenship?
If as a foreigner you have a baby in Portugal, your child might be eligible for Portuguese citizenship. The child will receive citizenship automatically if one of the parents was born in Portugal or if they don’t have any other nationality through their parents. They can also get automatic citizenship if at least one parent has lived in Portugal for five years at the time of birth. You must prove this when registering the birth of your child. Alternatively, a child can apply for citizenship if they have lived in the country for six years. However, they must take a Portuguese language test and not have been convicted of a crime with a sentence of over 3 years.
Postnatal care in Portugal
Mothers that give birth and reside in Portugal for more than 90 days have the right to free consultations up to 60 days after birth. A nurse will also come to check on you for free, a few days after you have left the hospital. Parents can also join postnatal classes to teach them how to take care of their newborn, as well as how to perform CPR on a baby. These classes happen in your health center, but are not always free. You can also pay for these in private institutions. You will also find several “cresces” (nurseries) and pre-schools in every major city in Portugal. These are good quality and affordable, unlike in many other European cities. However, if you are looking to place your child in an international pre-school, these are more expensive.
Child Vaccines in Portugal
Until your baby reaches 18 months, you will also need to vaccinate your child under the national vaccination program at regular intervals. The hepatitis B vaccine is usually the only one administered at birth. However, the vaccine against tuberculosis is also given to some kids. Although vaccines are not technically compulsory, there are two vaccines that are pretty much obligatory, diphtheria and tetanus shot. Without these, your child cannot enrol or take an exam in an educational establishment. You must make sure these are up to date as they grow. All the vaccines under the national vaccine program are free.
The national vaccine program protects against the following diseases: tuberculosis, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis, Haemophilus influenza type b infection, hepatitis B, pneumococcal disease, meningococcal disease, measles, mumps, rubella, and human papillomavirus infection.
Photo by Tim Bish (Unsplash)
Parental leave in Portugal
If you are employed in Portugal you have the right to parental leave, both men and women. Self-employed people are also eligible. In Portugal, you have initial and extended parental leave. With initial leave, a woman must take 90 days of her leave after childbirth and the remainder may be used before or after childbirth, totalling 120 days paid at 100%. Mothers MUST take at least six weeks off right after childbirth.
Fathers are entitled to 20 mandatory working days leave after birth where they get paid. The first five days can be taken right after birth and the other 15 must be taken within six weeks of the birth. The latter does not have to be taken consecutively.
After initial parental leave, parents can extend the leave to 180 days by adding three months, a period which is shared between the two parents at a rate of 83% of total pay. On the other hand, parents can also choose to extend the maternity leave alone to 150 days with no shared period at a rate of 80% total pay.
Unfortunately, most of the language used in the law refers to a “mother” and “father”. However, since 2019, the parliament officially stated that LGBT+ couples have parental leave rights. Two men and two women who have a baby (through adoption or biologically) will be paid for 120, 150 or 180 days, either at 100% or 80% depending on the amount of time.
Child benefits in Portugal
Along with parental leave, parents might be eligible for allowances from social security. The most common type of allowance is the Prenatal Family Allowance. There are other types of help such as an allowance for grandparents who need to leave work to take care of a baby.
Prenatal Family Allowance
If you are a pregnant woman in Portugal, you might be eligible for the prenatal family allowance. This allowance starts in the 13th week of pregnancy and lasts up to six months. However, you must receive less than a certain income to be eligible. The weekly amount varies according to income, but it’s usually between €96 and €148. The main requirements to be eligible are:
the pregnant mother must reside in Portugal or having a status comparable to residence
the pregnant mother must have reached the 13th week of pregnancy
the entire household must not have an income equal or lower than the third income bracket
the entire household must not have movable heritage such as bank accounts, investment funds, etc higher than 240 times the amount of the Social Support Indexation
Is surrogacy legal in Portugal?
Surrogacy has always been a controversial and still to this day, complicated topic in Portugal. Surrogacy was forbidden under Portuguese law for a while, and at times even criminalised. However, since August 2016, surrogacy has been allowed under certain scenarios that are quite restrictive. However, the law on surrogacy seems to be improving. In November of 2021, a law on surrogacy passed that says that surrogacy is legal. However, the pregnant woman must already be a mother. Moreover, the surrogacy contract must be approved by the National Council for Medically Assisted Procreation, which is a Portuguese body that oversees the process. The pregnant woman can keep the baby until it is registered, within 20 days of birth. Despite this law passing in parliament, regulations seem unclear. On the official government website, it says that “there is currently no legal framework regulating surrogacy in Portugal, so this practice is not lawful”.
Is gay adoption legal in Portugal?
In 2015, a majority of those in parliament voted to extend adoptions rights to same-sex couples. This had shockingly previously failed in 2012 and 2013. However, in 2015, the conservative President at the time, Cavaco Silva, vetoed the adoption rights bill. Luckily, the Portuguese parliament, particularly due to the left-wing parties, was able to overturn the presidential veto. This made Portugal the 24th country in the world to may gay adoption legal. Gay parents who adopt can request an adoption allowance, similar to parental leave. However, the adoptee must be under 15 years old.
Photo by RODNAE Productions (Pexels)
Is Portugal a good place to raise children?
Portugal is a great place to raise children. Everywhere you’ll go, people will smile at your kids and be happy to be around them. They say that grandparents are the pillars of a family, but in Portugal, it is the children. There are so many activities in Portugal for kids from free parks, zoos, oceanariums, and more. The cost of living is also much lower than in other major European countries which is an important aspect to consider when it comes to children. From preschool to afterschool activities and healthcare, they tend to be expensive. Portugal offers affordable education and universal healthcare for kids, making it one of the best places to raise children. One of the safest countries in Europe, you won’t have to worry about your child like you would in a city like London. Portugal also has some of the best international schools in Europe, although these can be quite pricey (between €5,000 and €20,000 a year).
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