Portugalidade: recorded music – some suggestions for winter listening
“Nada Para O Carnaval” is the title of the latest album of guitarist Luca Boscagin’s brilliant band of jazz musicians named Almanaque. It blends Brazilian and African sources to produce
London Calling – November 2023
The king is in town An amazing new experience has opened at an exhibition space called Arches, near London Bridge, South East London. As the name implies, this incredible space
Assessing contemporary art
Contemporary art, as it should, comes in many different forms. Technically speaking, contemporary art is art produced from the late 20th century to now. It is an immense and diverse
Cold wave to hit mainland Portugal
Temperatures due to drop several degrees Portugal’s ‘Verão de São Martinho’ (Summer of Saint Martin), a period of summer-like weather which usually occurs around this time of year, seems to
The Sovereign Art Foundation Prizes
I have once again organised the Sovereign Art Foundation’s (SAF) Student Prize Portugal, a prize for secondary school students which has been running since 2017. This is a prestigious art
Small talk
I can not say whether it is my advancing years or my insufficiently powerful vocal cords, but I do not seem to enjoy making small talk anymore. In fact, even
A foreigner’s (optional) guide to Portuguese politics
I will begin this week’s column with a confession, hoping for your understanding and forgiveness. Between you and me, one of the reasons (or excuses?) I have for not immersing
From Vice President to The Linen Girl – Best Promotion Ever
A few weeks ago, my boyfriend and I were once again rhapsodizing about our incredible lives here in the Algarve. I reflected that the only thing missing in my perfect
A kind of hunch
If one is relocating to Portugal, the first thing one must do is purchase a drill machine along with a tool kit, and the second thing one should do is
Caring for the unloved ones – part 2
“The disintegration of traditional family life has destroyed much of a former pattern of elderly parents being cared for at home” Elderly people can be cantankerous, unamusing, uncompromising, smelly,










