This mural is one piece in a larger international project, honouring the life and legacy of Portuguese artist Amália Rodrigues- known as the ‘Rainha do Fado’ (Queen of Fado). Rodrigues was instrumental in popularizing fado worldwide and traveled internationally throughout her career.

The mural, located at 1087 Dundas St. West, was created by Montreal artist Matthew Cadoch in partnership with Little Portugal Toronto BIA. For those in the city’s west end, another mural has been created at the Portuguese Cultural Center of Mississauga at 53 Queen St N.

Herman Alves has spearheaded the larger project of installing twenty-five murals dedicated to Amália Rodrigues around the globe to celebrate the 100th anniversary of her birth.  A Montreal-based businessman, Alves describes himself as someone passionate for the arts looking to share Portuguese culture with the world, starting with the iconic fadista Amália Rodrigues. Alves said the latest mural, painted in Toronto’s Little Portugal, follows previous paintings in Porto-de-Mos, Portugal and Montreal.

Over her successful career, Amália was able to popularize the iconic Portuguese sound and bring it onto the international stage with performances in  France, the United States, Japan and the Soviet Union.

In a press release, Alvez said, “The name of Amália continues to be extolled with the same pride and patriotism with which the Portuguese flag is raised…..I want to share with the world our artistic talents scattered throughout the Diaspora, to give them opportunities to show what they are worth, especially in this period when so many doors were closed with the arrival of Covid-19.”

Thanks to the partners in the Little Portugal Toronto community that came together to make this happen- including IC Savings, LiUNA! and building landlord Frank Alvarez. 

With much love and great fanfare, the Little Portugal Toronto Barcelos Rooster was unveiled at Lakeview Park, on Saturday, September 25, 2021.

A VIP event was held at 1200 Dundas St. W. where honoured dignitaries Mayor John Tory, Deputy Mayor Ana Bailão, José Manuel Carneiro Mendes, Consul General of Portugal in Toronto, Vitor Santos, President of The Barcelos Migrant Association, the Honorable Ahmed Hussen, MP – York South-Weston and our own BIA Chair, AnaBela Taborda, brought greetings.  Portuguese community members joined in for a celebratory glass of Portuguese port wine, and enjoyed special entertainment by Rancho de Barcelos, Portuguese-Canadian singer/songwriter Vicky Rai and Portuguese music DJ selections.  Many thanks to the Rooster Committee, the Deputy Mayor’s office, StreetART Toronto, Toronto Police Services (for the street escort), BIA business members and many volunteers who helped out, leading up to, and on this happy and much-anticipated occasion.

Local artist, Julia Prajza explained that her winning design for the permanent 9’ statue was based on the themes of new beginnings, hope and optimism.  The Rooster truly does honour the rich culture of the Portuguese people, and in Julia’s words, she skillfully “….created this modern-meets-traditional design.“ We invite everyone to stop by, take a selfie and post, and spread the word about our very own Rooster of Barcelos.