If you think learning the language here is hard, imagine for a moment being a stand-up comedian, and doing your act in Portuguese. Yes, let that sink in. Not only are you trying to be funny, in what must be one of the most terrifying social situations known to man, but also doing this in a second language.
It was therefore with much kudos and admiration in mind that, some years ago, I spoke with US comedian Tamer Kattan on Good Morning Portugal!, who had recently arrived in Portugal and was doing just that knee-trembling job, of being funny in Lisbon, in the local lingo.
Sadly, we lost Tamer as a funny fellow foreigner not long after, as he understandably upped sticks in support of his comedy career, but I was delighted to see his upcoming return here, with the ‘Hummus Tacos Comedy Tour’.
I’ve always had great fun chatting periodically with Tamer about comedy, Portugal and life, so I was delighted to have the opportunity to connect again and see what he’d been up to, and whether he missed life here, having ended up in bohemian Berlin, a worthwhile move and rich seam, it seems, if only judging by the hilarious material the city (and country) inspire for him on Instagram.
I began our light-hearted and occasionally philosophical reunion with me asking what had brought him to this country in the first place, and whether we’d done anything, or enough, to prompt his exit.
“I came to Portugal after hitting a mental, physical and emotional maximum in NYC (during the pandemic). It was INSANE,” he reminded me. “Portugal felt like the opposite in terms of vibe and appreciation for life. I ‘traveled’ when I was isolated, during quarantine, by researching where I could live.
“Believe it or not, it was the smiles on the Portuguese people’s faces,” he recalls fondly, from the internet-based images, which is perhaps no surprise from a crowd-pleasing professional. “Obviously no place is perfect, but there was a genuineness and authenticity that attracted me. I said, ‘I need to smile like that again’.”
When thinking of Portugal in its touristic and anthropological portrayals, that isn’t the first thing that comes to mind for me, as I tend to be looking at the view behind or what’s on the table in front of them. But captured candidly, I realise Tamer (“rhymes with hammer”) is correct in his analysis of the Portuguese at-play, all full of ‘convívio’ and gentle pleasure.
I was curious to discover too what had been the most rewarding or surprising aspects of his time here; the first impressions that would become lasting memories.
“When you move to another country as a fully formed adult, it’s harder to make friends. And even if you make a great effort, it’s difficult in places like Berlin to make friends with Germans. Your group of friends is often other expats or orphaned citizens,” Tamer said, admitting that he anticipated the same in Portugal. “But I was really pleasantly surprised that a huge percentage of my new friend groups were local people who were open, kind and uniquely welcoming to me.”
With an “inner-circle welcoming” like that, as he described it, I wondered what challenges he’d faced on the ‘down-side’ and how he had overcome them, thinking this would offer some insight for migrants, wherever they choose to go globally.
“The language (at least for me) was one of the most difficult I’ve ever tried to learn. To be fair, I tried using apps and I shouldn’t have. I should have sought some formal training. Using apps to learn Portuguese is like using straws to go scuba diving. You’re gonna be left gasping for air and screaming for help,” he said, despite going on to take the stage, in the language, presumably without an aqualung.
In terms of defining or special moments, the half-Jewish, half-Muslim comic (really), cites meeting both João Pinto, the phenomenal Portuguese comedian (and “just a great person”), and Nelson Fernandes, the owner of Lisboa Comedy Club.
“Nelson wanted help growing English-speaking comedy in Portugal, so he introduced me to João and allowed me to create an English-speaking comedy night. I ran writing workshops for some of the newer comedians as a way to bring some of the knowledge I gained from doing comedy in NYC, LA and London, and the local comedians embraced it,” remembers Tamer.
“We grew the scene from 15 to almost 100. From one English show a week to an English-speaking show every single night and a new club, ‘Republic of Comedy’, created by those same comedians.”
It is this now legendary venue, within the famous Portuguese Jazz club Xafarix, where Senhor Kattan (not sure what rhymes with that) will be returning in October, where so many great memories were made. And on the matter of memories, I asked him what other Portugal-shaped impressions had been made during his brief but happy time here.
“I have printed out a phrase that has stuck in my head ever since I took a mushroom trip in the woods of Sintra,” said Tamer, who, I will assume, was in the hands of reputable foragers.
“I had been very stressed out,” he continued, “and spoke to an older man who was hiking, who said with a very thick Portuguese accent, ‘Don’t forget, in life there’s no need to rush, because there is no finish line’. Those words, ‘there’s no finish line’, still sit above my desk today. A reminder to never forget to enjoy running more than winning.”
I also asked the fungi-loving fun guy (sorry, I had to) about his thoughts on Portugal’s future, blessed as he is with an insider, and now, outsider perspective. He foresees “even more diversity and tech’”, whilst at the same time praying “for a thoughtful balance that doesn’t dilute, diminish or even slightly hide the culture.”
And his advice to anyone thinking of following in his footsteps, drawn by the smiling faces and kind welcomes?
“Enjoy your life. Do it,” says he with no hesitation, an inspiration to all making a move as well as learning a new language.
If you ever need encouragement when learning and speaking Portuguese, remember Tamer’s example who, despite his linguistic difficulties, heroically learnt enough, and had enough courage, to stand in front of people expecting a laugh. And laugh they did.
In Portugal, in my experience, they might laugh at you, but they will be laughing with you too if you put on your big boy (or big girl) pants and make a whole-hearted effort.
Tamer Kattan will be at Lisbon’s Republic of Comedy, on October 4, at 7pm.
