Portugal’s renowned Fado singer Carlos do Carmo has new cause for celebration – winning the 2014 Personality of the Year award for his role in promoting Portuguese culture to the outside world.
Accepting the honour earlier this week in Lisbon, the 75-year-old who became the first Portuguese artist ever to win a Grammy last year – and whose input was vital in securing Fado a place in UNESCO’s World Heritage listings – said he was very proud.
The honour was “special because it had been awarded by foreign journalists who spoke heartily of Portugal”, he said.
Well-known for numerous songs, including “Lisboa Menina e Moça” and “Um Homem na Cidade”, Carmo’s award was sponsored by Portugal’s Foreign Press Association which last year bestowed the accolade on another veteran in his field, former President of the Republic Mário Soares.
