Synopses & Reviews
Contemporary Portugal is an outward-looking, modern, democratic European state with a legacy of a relatively recent traditional, colonial, and often inward-looking past that continues to shape and influence its development in the twenty-first century. Old country traditions persist in that the dominant political elites have survived and traditional lifestyles endure in the countryside. Portugal has always had a strong national identity and has been a homogeneous nation in regards to language, religion, culture, and ethnicity. Military conscription for the colonial wars, national television broadcasts, the expansion of health care and social security, schooling, postal and banking networks have spread throughout the nation to make it an even more tightly-knit society. Still, the nation has changed drastically since the 1974 revolution in ways that have affected its customs and culture. Alterations to its colonial empire, increased involvement in international relations, and immigration have caused Portugal to have a broader global vision. Additionally, social change, democratic consolidation, integration into the European Union and the accompanying economic development, national identity, as well as the character of contemporary literature and art have had enormous impact in diversifying perspectives in Portugal.
Contemporary Portugal is an outward-looking, modern, democratic European state with a legacy of a relatively recent traditional, colonial, and often inward-looking past that continues to shape and influence its development in the twenty-first century. Old country traditions persist in that the dominant political elites have survived and traditional lifestyles endure in the countryside. Portugal has always had a strong national identity and has been a homogeneous nation in regards to language, religion, culture, and ethnicity. Military conscription for the colonial wars, national television broadcasts, the expansion of health care and social security, schooling, postal and banking networks have spread throughout the nation to make it an even more tightly-knit society. Still, the nation has changed drastically since the 1974 revolution in ways that have affected its customs and culture. Alterations to its colonial empire, increased involvement in international relations, and immigration have caused Portugal to have a broader global vision. Additionally, social change, democratic consolidation, integration into the European Union and the accompanying economic development, national identity, as well as the character of contemporary literature and art have had enormous impact in diversifying perspectives in Portugal.
This volume examines the many facets of contemporary Portuguese society and ways of life. Chapters cover the land, people, and history, religion and thought, literature and media, the arts and architecture, cuisine and clothing, leisure and social customs, and women's role and the family. A glossary, bibliography, and photos complement the narrative.
Review
"In this reference on Portugal, special attention is paid to the changes following the 1974 military coup of the 40-year dictatorship, during which 80 percent of the economy was controlled by eight elite families. The book opens with a discussion of regional diversity, social class and social structure, emigration and immigration, Salazar's 'new state,' the 1974-1976 revolution, and contemporary Portugal. Chapters are then devoted to religion and thought, family and marriage, education, leisure activities and holidays, cuisine, literature, the media and cinema, performing arts, architecture, and art. The book includes an artistic B&W photo essay highlighting the juxtaposition of past and present, and includes a chronology and a glossary." - Reference & Research Book News
Synopsis
Portugal is evolving quickly as an integrated part of modern Europe. What was until the mid-1970s an old-world society, where 80 percent of the economy was controlled by an oligarchy of eight elite families, is now increasingly a model of an advanced European state. Portugal now ranks highly among the countries of the world in level of globalization and quality of life; it even boasts one of the best-developed renewable energy infrastructures of any developed country.
Despite such widespread modernization, however, "old country" Portuguese traditions persist in the political realms, as well as the traditional lifestyles that endure in the countryside. Culture and Customs of Portugal devotes careful attention to such topics as Portuguese holidays, media, marriage, gender roles, architecture, and education, providing readers with a full account of Portugal's rich heritage and modern culture. The drastic changes in the nation following the 1974 military coup that overthrew a 48-year dictatorship receive special attention.
Synopsis
• Authored by a political scientist and a fine artist, this collaboration presents a thorough and multifaceted view of modern Portuguese people, culture, and history
• Includes exclusive images of the people, society, cities, and countryside captured by the authors throughout Portugal over the past 30 years
Synopsis
• A chronology of significant events throughout Portuguese history
• Includes a national map of Portugal
• Contains original photographs of Portugal provided by the author, which reveal a candid portrait of the country and its people
• A bibliography including titles from varied disciplines
• An extensive glossary and index make researching specific topics simple
Synopsis
This descriptive analysis of contemporary Portuguese culture from a historical perspective covers topics ranging from art, cuisine, and music to government, politics, and religion.
Synopsis
Portugal has been a largely homogeneous nation steeped in historic traditions for nearly 1,000 years, and its borders have remained largely unchanged since the 13th century. Yet despite strong cultural unity, rural and urban Portuguese are split by markedly disparate attitudes and traditions, resulting in a fascinating milieu that defies easy generalization.