Portugal is hoping its traditional Alentejano singing will be classified as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO at the end of November.

The UNESCO committee will be meeting on Nov. 24 and 28 in Paris to make a final decision on the matter.

In regions of Alentejo in southern Portugal, groups of around 20 or 30 men, but also women, still gather to sing a capella choirs in taverns, their melodic and slow tunes reminiscent of a hard day of work in the countryside. Alentejo singing takes place across the country in numerous public performances.

Portugal seems confident their candidacy will be successful. "The Portuguese government welcomes the positive opinion attributed by UNESCO to the candidacy of Alentejo singing for Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity," Secretary of State for Culture Jorge Barreto Xavier said.

The candidacy for the polyphonic choirs was handed to UNESCO in March last year, and comes after Portugal's fado music, mournful tunes that date back to the 1820s, was recognized as intangible heritage in 2012. Endit

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