How a prime minister’s son became the voice of Portugal’s 1980s cultural revolution
Francisco Pedro Balsemão, born in Lisbon in 1987, is the host of 'Geração 80', a podcast exploring Portugal's cultural landscape in the 1980s. Son of former Prime Minister Francisco Pinto Balsemão, he comes from a family of 'dusty old-money elites' and had a strict upbringing. Despite this, he believes he was 'made for' and 'born to be' an actor.
Balsemão's connection to theater began in childhood, inspired by trips to Chapitô with his grandmother Ana. His love for acting grew, leading him to audition for the conservatory. However, he failed the audition after struggling with an imitation of a 'blind baby monkey'.
After studying marketing, Balsemão considered the priesthood and spent time at a seminary in Rome. Yet, he realized it wasn't his calling. He found his true passion in the cultural scene of the 1980s, which he explores in 'Geração 80'.
The podcast, guided by Balsemão, delves into the free spirits, democratic strengthening, and openness to the world that marked Portugal in the 1980s. It features guests like Vasco Pereira Coutinho, Tia Bli, Nurse Lourdes, and Teacher Regina. These figures, along with Balsemão, share their experiences and insights into this creative era, which still influences today's culture.
Balsemão's summers were spent in a house owned by his grandfather on the cliffs of Senhora da Rocha, near Armação de Pêra in the Algarve. Here, he enjoyed 'pure, wholesome idyliness' for three months each year. This contrast to his strict upbringing may have fueled his desire for the freedom and creativity of the 1980s.
Balsemão's journey, from a strict upbringing to hosting 'Geração 80', reflects his passion for acting and exploring Portugal's cultural history. The podcast, live-recorded at events like the Tribeca Festival, brings together figures who shaped and were shaped by the boundless creativity of the 1980s. This era, marked by free spirits and openness, continues to influence Portugal's culture today.
