| In this section you will find information on cinemas, theatres, music and museums. |
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American and European films are very popular in Portugal and are subtitled rather
than dubbed. Apart from individual cinemas dotted around in many of the towns, the
main cinemas tend to be in the large shopping centres; for example there are multiple
screen cinemas at the “Modelo” complex in Portimão, “Algarve Shopping” in Guia and
at “Forum Algarve” in Faro. |
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Ticket prices tend to be very reasonable and often there is one day in the week
when prices are reduced. Portugal receives all the latest main-stream film releases. |
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The regular mainstay of traditional and uniquely Portuguese pass-times is the singing
of Fado. It has been said that this is the Portuguese version of the blues, vocalists
being accompanied usually by two guitars, one Spanish and one Portuguese (which
resembles some kind of complicated medieval lute!). |
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Fado, although somewhat melancholic (like the blues) is also quite beautiful to
listen to and furthermore, it is an activity in which many Portuguese actively participate
from the local bank-manager to the humble shepherd. There will be at least one Fado
venue and often more, in most towns – usually they are fairly intimate restaurants
with guitar players in residence who provide the accompaniment for anyone who wants
to get up and give his turn. |
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But, Fado is taken very seriously and renditions of traditional Fado songs are more
often than not beautifully sung and with great passion. An evening of Fado will
frequently continue almost until dawn. For the visitor, Fado really has to be looked
for and so enquiries will have to be made at the tourist information office, but,
better still, find a kindly citizen to advise on the best places to experience this
event and it takes place not just all over the Algarve, but all over Portugal. |
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The main museum in the Algarve is the Infante Dom Henrique (Henry the Navigator)
Archaeological Museum in Faro which is housed in the building which was formerly
the Monastery of Nossa Senhora da Ãssunção (Our Lady of the Assumption). The museum
houses an extensive collection of Roman and medieval items including much from the
Islamic period. |
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Here you can see the famous “Ocean Mosaic”, the Almohad Talbet of Silves, busts
of Roman Emperors unearthed from the ruins of Mireu and much more. However, smaller
museums can be found in many Algarvian towns including the Regional Museum at Lagos,
the Olive Press Museum at Tavira, the Parish Museum at Olhão and the Municipal Museums
of Loulé, Aljezur and Silves. |
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In addition to the Municipal Museum at Silves (built around an wonderfully preserved
medieval Islamic well) one can also visit the award winning cork factory museum
(Museu da Cortiça) in the Fabrica do Inglês complex. |
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For other types of music, Portimão hosts a classical music festival in May and usually
there is at least one major rock concert later in the summer. In addition Portimão
also hosts a folk-music festival. |
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Many smaller towns host concerts (Silves, for example, receives touring orchestral
and operatic events which take place in the open air in the Castle compound), but
beware, these events are not well advertised and it is always best to keep an eye
on the local press and the tourism information office in order not to miss out.
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Live theatre is a rarity in Algarve, although there are several amateur Portuguese
groups who put on small scale productions in local venues.
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The principal English speaking amateur group, “The Algarveans” are always on the
look out for new members both performers and back-stage staff (contact membership
secretary Jackie Major on 282 687 410). |