Discover the traditions of Carnaval in Portugal, from colourful parades and masked celebrations to regional customs and festive vocabulary. Explore the cultural background while learning European Portuguese through themed lessons and activities. Know as Shrove Tuesday in teh UK, Pancake Tuesday in Ireland and Mardi Gras in France and in the USA.
Carnaval: Religious or secular? It’s definitely a time of exuberant costumes, lively music, and indulgence before the solemn season of Quaresma (Lent). But is Carnaval a celebration of excess before Lent? Is it a religious festival or a purely secular celebration? The answer depends on where you look. Across Portugal, Brazil, Italy, the Netherlands, and … Read more
Cozido à portuguesa, a quintessentially Portuguese dish, bursts with intense flavours, combining various meats and vegetables. It’s typically accompanied by plain rice. This dish is traditionally eaten for Carnaval (Fat Tuesday). Ingredientes – 4 Pessoas | Ingredients – 4 People Preparação | Preparation 1 – Lave bem as carnes e coloque-as numa panela de pressão. … Read more
Lent in Portugal is A Quaresma and it starts on Ash Wednesday (Quarta-Feira de Cinzas) and finishes on Holy Thursday (Quinta-Feira Santa), which is the day before Good Friday (Sexta-feira Santa). It’s a religious celebration observed by the Catholic Church in Portugal. Ash Wednesday is the day right after Shrove Tuesday, or as we call … Read more
Carnaval is an ancient tradition worldwide that announces the arrival of spring. The Carnaval traditions in Portugal are very rich and varied. Interestingly, its roots are in Babylon and Rome. However, through the ages, Christianity absorbed it, and later it evolved into what we are familiar with today. You may know it as “Mardi Gras”, … Read more