Fado singer Rodrigo, 85 years old, is the guest of honor at the 14th edition of the Caixa Alfama Festival, which kicks off today in Lisbon. With over half a century of career, the artist has released 40 albums throughout his life, including titles such as "A última tourada real em Salvaterra" (The Last Royal Bullfight in Salvaterra), "Pérolas, asas e raízes" (Pearls, Wings and Roots) and "Rodrigo – Cantador de Histórias" (Rodrigo – Singer of Stories), from 2010, which celebrated his artistic fiftieth anniversary. In an interview with the Portuguese news agency, Rodrigo stated he feels "a singer of fados, but also a singer of stories," expressing concern about the preservation of fado's roots.
The festival's programming was curated by fado singer and presenter José Gonçalez, who today leads a tribute to Rodrigo on the "Em Casa d'Amália" (At Amália's Home) program, with the participation of Ricardo Ribeiro and Katia Guerreiro, as well as the honoree himself, at the Caixa Stage installed at the Cruise Terminal. The festival follows the traditional model of ten stages spread across the Alfama neighborhood, including the churches of São Estêvão and São Miguel, the Dr. Magalhães de Lima Cultural Association, the Boa União Society and the Museum of Fado.
The first day features performances by various fado singers, such as Raquel Tavares, Miguel Moura, Marco Oliveira, Ana Rita Prada, Hélder Moutinho and Sara Paixão, among others. At the Church of Santo Estêvão, there is also a tribute to musicians Artur and Carlos Paredes, for "Coimbra guitars." On Saturday, the final day of the festival, Carminho, Filipa Cardoso and Beatriz Felício perform at the Caixa Stage, and Gonçalo Salgueiro performs at the rooftop of the Cruise Terminal.
This year's edition of the festival has a budget of 400,000 euros, as revealed by Luís Montez, from the organization, to the Portuguese news agency. Caixa Alfama has the support of Caixa Geral de Depósitos, celebrating 150 years, and EGEAC-Lisboa Cultura. Luís Montez described the event as "the largest fado festival in the world."
