Celebrating a Century of Carlos Paredes: A Musical Journey from Lisbon to Osaka in 2025

A Tribute to Carlos Paredes

Carlos Paredes, often described as "a man who embodies the very essence of the Portuguese soul", will be honored on the centenary of his birth on February 16, 2025. The Mayor of Lisbon, Carlos Moedas, alongside the Minister of Culture, Dalila Rodrigues, emphasized Paredes' profound impact on Portuguese music, stating he transformed his body into an extension of the Portuguese guitar.

Centenary Celebrations

The commemorative program, titled "Variações para Carlos Paredes", was unveiled at the Museu do Fado and includes over 100 concerts, documentaries, discussions, and workshops. Additionally, there will be a comprehensive reissue of Paredes' complete discography, featuring some unreleased tracks.

Key Events

• February 5, 2025: Kick-off concert by the Metropolitan Orchestra of Lisbon at the Teatro Municipal São Luiz.
• February 16, 2025: A grand celebration at Aula Magna, University of Lisbon, featuring renowned artists like Luísa Amaro and Carlos Alberto Moniz.
• Nationwide concerts will extend Paredes’ legacy across Portugal, including performances in cities like Braga and Coimbra.

International Presence

The celebrations will also reach beyond Portugal. The trio Alvorada will represent Portugal at the World Expo in Osaka, echoing a similar journey made by Paredes in 1970. Concerts and festivals will take place in 17 cities across 12 countries, including Shanghai, Athens, and Buenos Aires, featuring artists like Carminho and Kátia Guerreiro.

Heritage and Memory

In parallel, the National Sound Archive will launch a strategic initiative to safeguard Paredes' phonographic works, including creating a discography available to schools nationwide. Two exhibitions, "Variações para Carlos Paredes" and "Asas sobre o Mundo", will also be part of the celebrations, alongside the release of two documentaries about his life and work.