Growing up in Fall River: An Interview with Thomas Silvia

A vintage black-and-white photo of four individuals. Three men and one woman pose outside in front of a house. One man sits in a chair wearing a suit, while the two other men, one in a suit and one in a military uniform, and the woman stand behind him.

Fall River, Massachusetts, has long been known as one of the most Portuguese towns in America. In this interview, we sit down with Tom, a lifelong Fall River resident with deep roots in the city’s Portuguese community. Born to second-generation …

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A Guide to Christmas in Portugal

A large, illuminated Christmas tree with green, red, and yellow lights stands prominently in a town square at night. An ornate building with an archway and statues, also lit up, serves as a backdrop. The scene is festive and vibrant with holiday decorations.

Christmas in Portugal is a unique experience. For some people, particularly those that come from very cold parts of the world, it doesn’t feel Christmasy enough. For others, the ability to walk outside and even get a little Vitamin D …

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Portuguese Music: 12 Singers & Bands Worth Listening to

Outside of Portugal, Portuguese music is relatively unknown and it can be difficult to know which singers and bands you should listen to. This list will get you started. It’s by no means exhaustive, but it covers artists and bands …

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Halloween in Portugal: Does Portugal Celebrate Halloween?

Three children dressed in Halloween costumes make spooky gestures. The child on the left has skeleton face paint and a witch hat, the middle child wears a pink wig and dark dress, and the child on the right has long orange hair and a black outfit.

In Europe, Halloween isn’t celebrated anywhere near as much as it is in the US and if you’re moving over from the US, you might be a little disappointed. People don’t decorate the outside of their houses, the halloween candy …

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Welcome to Fall River: The Most Portuguese Town in America

A street view of a small town with various shops and parked cars. On the right, there is a black building housing "Alexandra's Boutique". Further down the street are more businesses and a church steeple visible in the distance. The sky is overcast.

You might have heard of Little Portugal in London, the nickname for the large Portuguese community in the South Lambeth area of South London, but did you know there’s a very large Portuguese community in Massachusetts in the USA? Fall …

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What is Saudade?

A silhouette of a person sitting on a swing by the beach at sunset, with one arm outstretched towards the empty swing beside them. The sky is a vibrant orange, and the sun is setting over the ocean in the background.

Saudade is a Portuguese word that’s often described as untranslatable but, open a bottle of wine with a Portuguese friend and, they’ll happily try to explain it to you. The truth is that saudade can’t be translated into a singular …

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Tipping in Portugal: A Comprehensive Guide for Tourists & Expats

A white plate with various Euro coins and a handwritten note that says "Thank You!" in cursive. The coins include different denominations and are placed around the note on the wooden table.

Tipping in Portugal isn’t as straight-forward as it is in other countries. While you may or may not agree with the tipping culture in the US, at least it’s straightforward. Here in Portugal, there are no rules about how much …

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Olivenza: The Portuguese Town That’s in Spain

A European Union border sign with the word "España" in the center, surrounded by yellow stars on a blue background. Graffiti at the bottom reads "OLIVENÇA É NOSSA, É PORTUGAL" in white paint. The sign is positioned in a rural area with trees and grass.

Drive over the bridge that crosses the Guadiana River, the river that separates Portugal and Spain, and you’ll be greeted with a sign welcoming you to Spain. Like the hundreds of other signs that are dotted along the Spanish border, …

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Portugal, a Nation of Desenrascados?

A cute cartoon illustration of a hanging light bulb with a surprised face. The bulb has small eyes, an open mouth, and is radiating yellow light. It has arms, one of which is holding onto the cord from which it is suspended. The background is blue.

There are a few words that help explain Portuguese culture. One of them is saudade, a word that’s considered to be untranslatable but the closest interpretation is a feeling of longing. You can feel saudade for anything: a different time, …

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24 Must-Read Books Set in Portugal

A woman with sunglasses and a braid is lying on a striped blanket at the beach, reading a magazine. She is wearing a white sweater and appears to be relaxed, with the sea and sky in the background.

Portugal has been the setting for numerous captivating novels that bring its essence to life. These books, especially those written by Portuguese authors, offer an immersive experience into the country’s soul, perfect for those wishing to learn more about its …

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