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Porto Events This Week (September 11 – 17)

As Autumn gets closer, a new week of exciting events in Porto begins. Whether you are looking to enjoy a live music performance or relax at the beach, there are plenty of events and activities to enjoy in Porto. Let’s take a look at events in Porto this week from September 11 to 17.

Casa da Musica’s Children’s Choir

The Children’s Choir of Casa da Música is making its debut on a grand city stage, facing its most significant challenge yet – celebrating cultural diversity and the richness of musical traditions from various countries. Each piece promises to be a delightful surprise, taking the audience on a magical journey through harmonies and rhythms.

The choir is composed of approximately 50 children, is the youngest resident ensemble of the institution. They will be performing on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday this week at Casa da Musica.

“The Storm” Orquestra at Casa da Musica

Another Casa da Musica event this week, the Symphonic Orchestra of Casa da Musica will be performing “A Tempestade” which translates to “The Storm” on Friday. This concert revolves around the theme of “The Blue Planet”. It explores the Romantic influence of Shakespeare in a symphonic poem by Tchaikovsky. Frank Bridge, from a coastal town in southern England, crafted an orchestral piece inspired by the sea’s ever-changing nature, effectively capturing its diverse states.

Photo by Andrey Konstantinov (Unsplash)

RDZ presents ‘The Dream Team’ at WOW

The promoters RDZ are presenting a night out at World of Wine on Saturday from 3 pm to 2 am. Featuring a beautiful view of Porto from Gaia, you will get to dance as the sun sets. The lineup includes David Moreira, Diana Oliveira, Freshkitos, João Azevedo, Klin Klop, Tiago Carvalho, Rui Vargas, and Miguel Nery.

Photo by Dominik Mecko (Unsplash)

Yoga class at the beach

This Friday is the last day to head to an incredible yoga class at a beach in Gaia. Promoted by Adritem, through the project Urban Farmers, spend a relaxing hour by the water. This event is happening on three different beaches in Vila Nova de Gaia, a few minutes from Porto, at different times throughout the day: Aguda (4 pm), Atlântico (5 pm), and Madalena (6 pm).

Photo by kike vega (Unsplash)

 

Top Lisbon Events This Week (September 11 – 17)

The second week of September brings exciting new events in Lisbon, without hoards of tourists and with milder temperatures. Should you find yourself in the city this week, allow us to guide you to some of the best events happening in the coming days. Let’s take a look at the best events and activities in Lisbon from September 4th to 10th.

Fado concert in Amália Rodrigues’ garden

Arguably the most iconic fado singer to have ever lived, Amália Rodrigues passed away in 1999. However, her legacy remains at Casa da Amália, the house in Rua de S. Bento where she lived for 44 years. This week, an outdoorfado event is happening on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday where you can enjoy a live performance of this genre in her outdoor garden. 

Amalia Rodrigues. Photo by Piano Piano! (Unsplash)

MOTELX – International Horror Film Festival

If you’re a horror fan, look no forward. From September 12 to 18, an International Horror Film Festival is taking place in Lisbon for its 17th edition. These seven days include over 100 films including the worldwide primers of “Infinity Pool” and “Hood Witch”. The festival takes place in the beautiful São Jorge Cinema in the center of Lisbon.

Photo by Felix Mooneeram (Unsplash)

Lx Rural – Farmers market

Lx Rural is a farmers market taking place on Sundays in Lx Factory from 10 am to 6 pm. A bunch of farmers from all over the country gather here to display and sell their produce. You can find all times of seasonal produce from traditional, sustainable, and biological farming. From fresh vegetables to honey and even homemade bread, take home with you incredible products. 

Lx Factory, where the farmers market is hosted is also great to explore. There are plenty of restaurants in this outdoor compound, including Cantina and Matchamama, a Peruvian and Asian cuisine fusion place. There are also cool stores such as Brandz and Kare Design.

Lx Factory. Photo by Maxence Bouniort (Unsplash)

Changing the Guard in Belem National Palace

Many think the Changing of the Guard is reserved for Buckingham Palace in London, but this isn’t the case. A similar event happens on the third Sunday of every at Belem Palace in Lisbon at around 11 a.m., where the military guard performs this ceremony. This event is performed by the military guards that take care of the permanent security of the official residency of the President of the Republic Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.

160 military personnel from the National Republican Guard participate. The ceremony begins with a fanfare on the palace balcony, followed by a military parade and a musical performance by the band, featuring military marches.

At the end of the ceremony, the Mounted Brass Band performs in the Vieira Portuense Garden, showcasing impressive horse maneuvers while the riders entertain the audience with musical interludes. 

PM announces measures to increase purchasing power of the Portuguese

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This week, the Portuguese Government announced two measures to increase the purchasing power of Portuguese citizens.

First, on Wednesday, the Portuguese Prime Minister announced, among other things, that for each year spent working in Portugal, the Government will return the proportional tuition fees that were paid by the university student.

This measure targets young people. It was designed as an incentive for new graduates to stay in the country, as well as a mechanism to provide them with more purchasing power when they finish their studies and start working. Note that this measure only entails public universities. Tuition fees of private universities are not included.

Second, on Thursday, the Government approved an extension of the temporary Value-Added Tax (VAT) exemption for some food products until the end of the year.

This measure, which came into effect in April this year, exempts 46 food products from VAT. The products were carefully selected given the guidelines for healthy eating provided by the Ministry of Health.

The Government assessed the five previous months and concluded that extending the measure was an effective way of dealing with inflation and providing some relief to Portuguese citizens.

The VAT zero measure applies to:

Cereal
  • Bread 
  • Potato
  • Pasta Rice

Dairy

  • Cow Milk
  • Yogurt
  • Cheese

Fruits

  • Apple
  • Banana
  • Orange
  • Pears
  • Melon

Vegetables

  • Red beans
  • Black-eyed beans
  • Chickpeas
  • Onion
  • Tomato
  • Cauliflower
  • Broccoli
  • Carrot
  • Courgette
  • Leek
  • Pumpkin
  • Sprouts
  • Portuguese Cabbage
  • Spinach
  • Turnip
  • Peas

Meat and Fish

  • Pig
  • Chicken
  • Turkey
  • Cow
  • Codfish
  • Sardine
  • Pescada
  • Mackerel
  • Dourada
  • Cavala

Fats and Oils

  • Olive Oil
  • Vegetable Oils
  • Butter

Other Products

  • Canned tuna
  • Chicken eggs
  • Plant base yogurt and milk
  • Gluten-free products for celiacs

6,000 drivers caught in speed traps in 24 hours

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In less than twenty-four hours, the newly installed speed traps caught 6,000 drivers going over the speed limit.

There are 37 new speed traps operating throughout the country since the beginning of the month. Of the 37, 12 are able to record the average speed. This technology is new in Portugal.

Contrary to other speed traps, which take note of the speed in one specific location, at one point in time, these assess the time a vehicle spends going from point A to point B and calculate the average speed. 

By the end of September 1st, 6,000 drivers had already been caught. The tickets have not been processed yet, but the authorities estimate that if each driver pays the minimum amount possible (60 euros), the total revenue for the state will be around 360,000 euros.

However, considering that the amount due depends on how much above the speed limit the driver was, it could be more than that. The 37 new speed traps are spread across the country, from north to south on highways, national, and complementary roads. Most were placed along national roads, in specific locations, but the new technology was specifically chosen for the main highways.

If you want to know where the speed traps are located, take a look here.

Porto Events in the First Week of September (September 4 – 10)

September brings a bunch of special things to do and fun events in Porto. If you’re going there this week and wondering what’s happening, we’ve got your back. Let’s check out the cool stuff you can do from September 4 to 10. From concerts to games, get ready for a unique time in Porto!

Fado na Baixa

Experience an authentic evening of Fado, the soulful essence of Portugal, on Monday from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Hosted by Fado na Baixa, this event invites you to savor Pedro’s family-owned Tawny Port while our musicians demonstrate traditional Portuguese Guitar techniques. Live male and female Fado singers will serenade you with Lisbon’s intense Fado and the touching Coimbra Fado, a tradition upheld by university students. 

Fado museum. Photo by Vitor Oliveira (Flickr)

Basilar Festival

From Thursday to Sunday, Basilar Festival takes place in Porto close to a beautiful lake. Basilar is a cozy event in Northern Portugal for music lovers. It’s all about techno music and bringing people together. With one stage, artists can focus on their music and create a close-knit vibe. The event has longer DJ sets and a small community, to promote a bonding environment. 

Cocktail making class

Cocktails. Photo by Kobby Mendez (Unsplash)

For a unique experience, head to this cocktail-making class on Thursday at Maison Cocorico. You will be able to create your very own cocktail and acquire the skills of incredible barmen. Cocorico is a luxurious guesthouse, situated a 5-minute walk from the Cathedral of Porto. 

Outdoor orchestra concert at Avenida dos Aliados 

Porto is known for its iconic avenue, Avenida dos Aliados. This Saturday, you will get to enjoy an outdoor concert at this prestigious avenue performed by the Orquestra Sinfónica do Porto Casa da Música. An event to bid farewell to summer, this concert includes music from incredible films such as James Bond and Schindler’s List. It’s also free to attend!

Best Things to Do in Lisbon This Week (September 4 – 10)

As September begins, Lisbon offers many exciting events. If you’re visiting the city this week, we’re here to help you discover the top things to do. Join us as we explore the best activities and events happening from September 4 to 10 in Lisbon.

Operafest Lisboa 2023

Operafest Lisbon 2023, with the Belém Cultural Center, is showcasing “Great Singers for Today’s Opera” on Wednesday. It’s part of the Marathon Opera XXI contest promoting modern Portuguese opera. Young singers perform excerpts from recent Portuguese operas, aiming to strengthen the tradition of singing in Portuguese and support new generations of performers. Winners receive the Carlos de Pontes Leça Prize. 

Rodrigo Amado & Chris Corsano

Zé dos Bois in Lisbon is hosting performers Rodrigo Amado and Chris Corsano on Wednesday. After six years, they come together again following a successful show and a shared album. Amado remains a key European saxophonist, while Corsano ventures across diverse musical landscapes. 

Brunch Electronik #7

Another Brunch Electronik event is happening this week, an electronic music event that runs from 2 pm to 10 pm on Sunday. Along with incredible music and a vibrant environment, you can enjoy a variety of food at the trucks available. This week’s line up includes:

  • REINIER ZONNEVELD 
  • DAX J 
  • ELLI ACULA 
  • FRANK MAUREL

50,000 students get into university in Portugal’s first phase

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Almost 50,000 students got into university in Portugal. However, there are 38 degrees available that no one wants to apply to at the moment. 

This year’s first phase of the National Contest to Access Higher Education (Concurso Nacional de Acesso ao Ensino Superior – CNAES) had almost fifty thousand placements. The number is slightly lower than last year’s, but it represents 84% of the total number of applications. The remaining 16% will have to wait for the second phase.

Most of the 1,109 degrees available are completely full. There are only 305 degrees with spots available, of which 38 are completely empty.

Interestingly, one of the most wanted areas is also the one that no one wants. Most of the degrees without any application are connected to engineering. However, the ones that everyone wants are also connected to the field. The degree with the highest average entry GPA is Aerospatial Engineering.

Apart from the above mentioned, Medicine, Law, Architecture, and International Relations degrees are very popular. The average entry GPA for these degrees in the best Universities is above 18/20.

The spots that are still available will be disputed by the remaining 16% of the applicants. If there are any spots available after the second phase, there will be a third. The goal is that every degree is full, and every student is placed.

President will enact new drug law in Portugal

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The Portuguese President of the Republic will enact the new version of the drug law after it has been validated by the Portuguese Constitutional Court.

After the decree was approved by the Portuguese Assembly of the Republic more than one month ago, the President decided to send it to the Constitutional Court.

According to him, the autonomous regions (in this case, Madeira) were not properly taken into account, and that could cause the proposal to be unconstitutional.

According to the court’s decision, the decree is not unconstitutional. The validation by the Constitutional Court means that the law will have to be enacted by the President, and come into effect.

What’s the new Portuguese drug law 2023?

This new version of the drug law introduces two big changes. First, it extends decriminalization to synthetic drugs. Second, it removes the possession limit that was acceptable for consumption.

These changes are supposed to guarantee the effectiveness of the drug law within the new drug paradigm, and at providing a better basis for distinguishing between users and traffickers.

However, some experts argue that this version will create a ‘gray area’ that will be difficult for the authorities. They believe that this new law creates a precedent that will contribute to the worsening of the current state of the country when it comes to drugs. Instead of better defining the line that helps distinguish users from traffickers, the new version of the law blurs it. According to them, both the police force, and the Portuguese courts will have a hard time.

Lisbon Events to Not Miss This Week (August 28 – September 3)

If you’ve recently landed in Lisbon and are wondering how to make the most of your week, fret not – we’re here to help. Get ready to explore unforgettable events and experiences in this captivating city. Let’s take a look at the top events and activities in Lisbon between August 28 and September 3.

MEO Kalorama

Meo Kalorama, scheduled from August 31 to September 2 at Parque da Bela Vista, is a distinctive summer festival. It strives to blend together music, artistic expression, and ecological consciousness, bringing together artists who are enthusiastic about pushing boundaries and contributing to society.

The festival’s current roster features prominent acts such as Florence + The Machine, The Blaze, Arcade Fire, Dino d’Santiago, and others. Attendees have the option of buying individual daily tickets priced at 65 euros each, or they can opt for a comprehensive three-day pass at 160 euros.

Mariza at Festas do Mar

The second week of Festas do Mar is taking place this week from August 31 to September 3. A 30-minute train ride from Cais do Sodré, Festas do Mar is a long-standing Cascais tradition from the 1970s. 

You’ll have the opportunity to listen to amazing musicians performing right by Baia Beach. This event is put together by the local government and is free to attend. In addition to the musical performances, you’ll also find a variety of local food trucks and even stalls selling handmade crafts.

This week’s lineup includes one of the most famous fadistas in Portugal, Mariza, who will be performing on Friday.

BaIa de Cascais where Festas do Mar takes place. Photo by Vitor Oliveira (Unsplash)

Brunch Eletronik

Brunch Eletronik hosts a few events throughout the summer, including one this Saturday in Lagoa Branca, Tapada da Ajuda from 2 pm to 10 pm. This week’s line up includes Honey Dijon, I. Jordan, Gusta-vo and Luisa.

The electronic music festival is hosted outdoors, featuring plenty of food trucks with all kinds of cuisine options. We recommend buying tickets in advance as these sell out. There’s also a backstage access ticket with an exclusive bar, bathrooms, and stage access.

Culture shock comedy

This comedy stand-up show called “Are You an Alien in Europe?” is designed for expats in Portugal, starting on Monday at Lasharada. Delight in hilarious stories from comedians about unexpected cultural shocks, and add your own by sharing anonymously on paper for them to improvise on. 

 

Best Porto Events This Week (August 28 – September 3)

If you’ve just arrived in Porto and aren’t quite sure how to fill your week, worry not – we’ve got your back. We’re diving into the top things to do and events to check out, ensuring you have an amazing and unforgettable time in this vibrant city. Let’s take a look at the top events and activities in Porto between August 28 and September 3.

The World Battle

For those who love sports and dance, The World Battle 2023 is a global street sports and culture festival in Porto from August 30 to September 3. Athletes from 60+ countries will compete to earn points and a chance to represent their country in the 2024 Olympic Games. The event includes a big Breaking and Topstyle competition, as well as displays, a market, and dance workshops this week.

 

Anavitória concert at Casa da Musica

Performing in the iconic Casa da Musica on Friday, Anavitória is a duo known for their Brazilian music. Since releasing their first album in 2016, the duo has been accumulating achievements: sold-out concerts from north to south of Brazil, two Latin Grammys, tours in the USA and Europe, hits like “Trevo,” “Fica,” and “Pupila” among the most played songs on Brazilian radios.

Casa da Musica, Porto (Unsplash)

Jazz, Bossanova, and Tribute concerts

This event, called Café Concerto no Ateneu starts this week and has concerts on Thursdays (Jazz), Fridays (Bossa Nova), and Saturdays (Tributes). Located in the beautiful Nobel Hall of the Ateneu Comercial do Porto, you will get a unique experience in one of the most beautiful rooms in the city. A bar service is available during the show.

Photo by Chris Bair (Unsplash)

Make your own chocolate workshop

This Make Your Own Bar workshop is a fun event on Saturday where you can create your own chocolate bars. You’ll learn about making chocolate from scratch and make three personalized chocolate bars with your favorite toppings to take home. You’ll also get to taste seven different GLAD chocolate bars. This workshop will also teach you about where chocolate comes from, how it’s made, and how to tell good chocolate apart.