Culture and Customs of Portugal

(Hardback)

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This descriptive analysis of contemporary Portuguese culture from a historical perspective covers topics ranging from art, cuisine, and music to government, politics, and religion. 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.

Reviews

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 *

Author Bio

Carlos A. Cunha, PhD, is executive chair of faculty and chair of the Political Science Department at Dowling College, Oakdale, NY, and research associate in the Centro de Investigao de Estudos Sociolgicos (CIES) at Lisbon University Institute (Instituto Superior de Cincias do Trabalho e das Empresas - ISCTE), Lisbon, Portugal. Rhonda Cunha holds an MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art, Bloomfield Hills, MI and has worked as a studio artist for the past 25 years.