Portugal's renowned Fado singer wins award for promoting culture abroad

Portugal's renowned Fado Singer Carlos do Carmo won the 2014 Personality of the Year/ Martha de La Cal award on Tuesday for his role in promoting Portuguese culture to the outside world.

"This prize is a source of great pride," Carlos do Carmo said during his speech at the awarding ceremony, which took place at the Henrique Mendoca Palace of the Nova School of Business and Economics in Lisbon.

Despite that he has received many awards during his career, this one was special because it was attributed by foreign journalists who "spoke heartily" of Portugal, the artist said.

Carlos do Carmo, 75, made history last year when he became the first Portuguese artist to have won a Grammy by the Latin Recording Company.

Well known for his songs Lisboa Menina e Moca and Um Homem na Cidade, Carlos do Carmo is a world-known icon of Fado and has played an important role in making fado part of UNESCO's World Heritage Cultural Patrimony in 2011.

The annual award, sponsored by Portugal's Foreign Press Association (AIEP), is given to a Portuguese citizen who deserves special mention for promotion of the country abroad.

The award was given last year to former Portuguese President Mario Soares.