"Fado," literally fate or destiny, is a soulful Portuguese musical genre marked by strong vocals dripping with emotion, accompanied by a Portuguese 12-string guitar. Considered the musical expression of its people, the songs are made of heartache and sadness, but also fun, nostalgia and tragic notes, just like in real life.

Amália Rodrigues, the Queen of Fado, once said that "the only thing that matters is to feel Fado (…) You feel it, you don't understand it and you don't explain it." 

This was what happened this weekend in Shanghai when the first Fado Festival took place as part of the 21st China Shanghai International Arts Festival (CSIAF). The mainly local audience might not have known a word of Portuguese, but they certainly felt it in their hearts.

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CGTN Digital spoke to fadistas (Fado singers) Carminho and Rodrigo Costa Félix to know more about their shows and visit to the city.

"I didn't have many expectations, because it was my first time singing in Shanghai. The concert was special because it was in the People's Square, so I didn't know what was going to happen. It was truly surprising and interesting," said Carminho in a phone interview.

Noting that the audience was packed, the 35-year-old added that "it was a joy" witnessing the enthusiastic welcome. 

"Many people didn't know Fado but were very respectful and nice. I explained what is the Fado culture at each song, and that helped to create a general empathy that grew through the concert, and by the end it was fantastic," revealed the fadista, remembering that there was an encore and people stayed for a meet-and-greet with her.

"It was sensational. The atmosphere was beautiful, right in the middle of the city, it was pretty touching," confessed Carminho.

For the singer, that kind of "cultural communion" is very significant in terms of accepting different cultures. "Through music, we can communicate and establish connection and language points. This is fascinating, almost magical, and Fado has this strength of getting into people's hearts," she said. 

Noting that the festival organization was "perfect," the Lisbon-born fadista said that the Fado Festival is a successful method in bringing this musical style to other parts of the world.

From China, Carminho will leave for an international tour with 10 concerts in the U.S., five in Brazil, and then back to Europe. The tour follows the release of her fifth and most intimate album "Maria" last September. "This was the first album entirely produced by me, a consequence of wanting to go back to my childhood memories. Who better to remember what I lived than myself," she shared. 

On a final note, the fadista didn't exclude the possibility of a musical partnership mixing Chinese and Portuguese genres. "As long as it makes sense, music is a living language and everything is possible," said Carminho.

Culture is the best way to bring countries together

On Sunday morning, it was time for Rodrigo Costa Félix and Inês Vasconcellos to take the stage.

"We were not expecting so many people for a concert at 10 a.m., especially for a Fado concert, which normally takes place at night. It was pretty full, and the public reaction also surprised us," said the male artist who has been singing since he was 17.

The public, 99 percent of which didn't speak Portuguese, liked the genre, interacted with the artists and went for photos and autographs after. "The reaction was so heart-warming that it filled our souls. Music has this power of uniting people. It's a universal language. People understand the emotion, the intention of each song, and that touches the audience and us on stage."

After the concert, Rodrigo Costa Félix gave a seminar on the history of Fado at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics. The event was completed with an exhibition on the same topic, and a movie screening of "Pátio das Cantigas" (The Courtyard of Songs), a Portuguese film from 1942. The comedy is a beloved classic that takes place in a typical Lisbon neighborhood.

In Félix's opinion, "the best way to bring countries, political differences and people together is through culture." Besides, culture is undoubtedly the best promotional channel for a country.

"This was the first time the Fado Festival came to China, but we want to keep coming. It was a good start. The experience was fantastic and we want to take the concerts and the exhibition to other cities in China. That is our intention for next year, to strengthen our action," he said. 

Félix praised the organization of the China Shanghai International Arts Festival for giving plenty of local support. "It was an excellent partnership that we hope it can repeat itself next year," he said.

The 21st China Shanghai International Arts Festival started on October 18 and will run till November 17.

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