A government that views culture as an expense rather than an investment, a lack of established cultural institutions and the closure of the Ministry of Culture mean Portugal’s arts scene is suffering.
In the Fado restaurant in Porto, Sandra Correia sings with her eyes tightly shut as she performs the melancholy repertoire of traditional Fado ballads about irreparable loss.
It seems fitting mood music for a country that has slashed its arts funding to just 0.37% of the annual budget and which, two years ago, took the decision to axe its ministry of culture.
"Every day it's a fight to be an artist in Portugal," Sandra tells me in a break between songs.
"I have many friends who now perform in France and over there the politicians understand the importance of culture - here we get absolutely no support.
In the Fado restaurant in Porto, Sandra Correia sings with her eyes tightly shut as she performs the melancholy repertoire of traditional Fado ballads about irreparable loss.
It seems fitting mood music for a country that has slashed its arts funding to just 0.37% of the annual budget and which, two years ago, took the decision to axe its ministry of culture.
"Every day it's a fight to be an artist in Portugal," Sandra tells me in a break between songs.
"I have many friends who now perform in France and over there the politicians understand the importance of culture - here we get absolutely no support.
"They've just cut culture out."