Happy Cultura

HAPPY CULTURA®

The best of Portugal for the Portuguese and for the world

pub1
Home/Did You Know?

Did You Know?

Anecdotes and discoveries about Portugal

Themes:
HistoryAnecdotes

To discover

All articles

​​Delta Cafés, the success story of a small family business

​​Delta Cafés, the success story of a small family business

When you pour your morning coffee, remember that behind every cup, there’s often a story. And the one I’m going to tell you today is none other than that of Delta Cafés and trust me, it’s a particularly delicious one ! With an urban tone, a friendly touch, and a hint of humor (because yes, even coffee can have swag), we’re heading on a journey from Campo Maior (in the Alentejo) to coffee shops all around the world.

Read more
Bordallo Pinheiro, when earthenware becomes pop art

Bordallo Pinheiro, when earthenware becomes pop art

Let’s be honest : when we think of earthenware, we often picture grandma’s plates or slightly dusty trinkets sitting in a heavy oak cabinet. And yet… in Portugal, one brand has managed the impossible, turning ceramics into something cool, stylish, and downright irresistible. Its name ? Bordallo Pinheiro. Yes, that name, which sounds almost like a fado chorus remixed by a good modern DJ, hides a fascinating story, a little eccentric, a lot artistic, and unmistakably Portuguese.

Read more

The bells of Barcelos, the origin of the rooster, symbol of Portugal

The bells of Barcelos, the origin of the rooster, symbol of Portugal When you walk through souvenir shops in Portugal, you inevitably come across a colourful bird, with vivid patterns and naïve decorations: the Galo de Barcelos. This ceramic rooster, often painted red, blue, yellow, symbolises much more than a mantelpiece ornament. It has become a cultural and national emblem. But where does it really come from? What does it represent today? Here’s everything you need to know.

Read more
António de Oliveira Salazar and the Estado Novo : Shadows and Legacies of a Dictatorship

António de Oliveira Salazar and the Estado Novo : Shadows and Legacies of a Dictatorship

When I think back to my parents’ stories, leaving Portugal for France at the end of the 1960s, I see in them the reflection of an entire country that took to the road. Their departure wasn’t just a “change of scenery” : it was a flight, a gamble, a hope. And behind that decision lay the weight of Salazar’s long dictatorship, a regime that shaped Portugal for nearly forty years. (And to think that Portugal has only been “free” for about 50 years… yes, it really wasn’t that long ago !)

Read more
The Age of Discovery : how the Portuguese changed the map of the world

The Age of Discovery : how the Portuguese changed the map of the world

Picture this : it’s the late 14th century. A small country on the edge of the Atlantic, sails in the wind, a few daring sailors, and one big dream to discover what lies beyond the horizon ! That’s how the incredible adventure of the Age of Discovery begins, with Portugal taking center stage. And no, it wasn’t just about sketching maps it was a full-on world revolution… and, let’s be honest, a massive “let’s go and see what happens” gamble (spoiler : it paid off).

Read more
The mystery of mosaic pavements, a Portuguese invention copied around the world

The mystery of mosaic pavements, a Portuguese invention copied around the world

Ah… those Portuguese sidewalks! You know, the ones that make you walk with your head down in Lisbon or Porto, not because you’re lost in thought, but because they’re just so beautiful (and, let’s be honest, a bit dangerous if you’re wearing heels !). Those little black-and-white stones, sometimes arranged in spirals, sometimes in waves, and sometimes so slippery they deserve a warning sign that says, “Caution: hazardous masterpiece.” Yes, you know exactly what I’m talking about the calçada portuguesa, or Portuguese mosaic pavement.

Read more

Discover more articles

Explore our other categories

Home