Fado becomes UNESCO's World Heritage Cultural Patrimony

Fado by José Malhoa (1910)

Fado (Portuguese: destiny, fate) is a music genre which can be traced to the 1820s in Portugal, but probably with much earlier origins.

In popular belief, fado is a form of music characterized by mournful tunes and lyrics, often about the sea or the life of the poor. However, in reality fado is simply a form of song which can be about anything, but must follow a certain structure. The music is usually linked to the Portuguese word saudade which symbolizes the feeling of loss (a permanent, irreparable loss and its consequent life lasting damage).

Amália Rodrigues, Carlos do Carmo, Mariza are amongst the most famous individuals associated with the genre.

In 2011, the Fado performance genre incorporating music and poetry widely practised by various communities in Lisbon was be inscribed onto the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists and in 27 November, 2011, UNESCO approved it.



Sonnet 44

If the dull substance of my flesh were thought,
Injurious distance should not stop my way;
For then despite of space I would be brought,
From limits far remote, where thou dost stay.
No matter then although my foot did stand
Upon the farthest earth removed from thee;
For nimble thought can jump both sea and land
As soon as think the place where he would be.
But, ah, thought kills me that I am not thought,
To leap large lengths of miles when thou art gone,
But that, so much of earth and water wrought,
I must attend time's leisure with my moan,
Receiving nought by elements so slow,
But heavy tears, badges of either's woe.

William Shakespeare