A Sunday from Portugal to Pakistan

Celina Ali

Islamabad: Olomopolo Media, in collaboration with Aga Khan Cultural Service – Pakistan (AKCS-P) and the Embassy of Portugal in Pakistan, arranged a masterclass led by celebrated Portuguese guitarist and composer, Pedro Jóia. The event was held at the Olo Junction in Muslim Town on Sunday, May 25, 2025.

Pedro Jóia skillfully weaved a seamless string of jazz melodies as he strummed his guitar to a captivated audience, periodically deconstructing his craft with fascinating accounts. The dimly lit room resonated with ethereal musical notes and stories of travel, passion, and learning, redolent with the ambience of blasé European towns.

Pedro Jóia provided insights into the genre of music he performs and the musical traditions that have influenced his work. Tracing his musical journey, he shared that he traveled to the south of Spain in Andalusia, where Flamenco guitar originated. This experience, in his words, changed his life. One day, witnessing someone play classical jazz guitar suddenly ignited a passion within him – he realized that this was his true calling. Pedro Jóia then took private lessons with his mentor for over four years. While the apprenticeship honed his skills as a guitarist, it also enlightened him about the dynamics of performing on stage, including effective methods for overcoming fear and engaging the audience. “Those years in Spain had a massive impact on me as a musician,” he underscored.

Although Portugal appears to be a relatively small country, its music is diverse and inspired by different traditions both within Europe and beyond it. Pedro hails from Lisbon, the Capital of Portugal, which has a strong tradition of Fado music. He described the feel of Fado music as nostalgic. “Nearly 500 years ago, when the people of Portugal went on an expedition to explore new civilizations and forms of living, they instinctively wanted to mix with new cultures. Many travelled far away from home and felt homesick, and their music therefore exuded sadness, nostalgia, and longing.”

Pedro considers his music a fusion of classical jazz, flamenco, and Fado. He explained that, while he is a proud Portuguese who values his heritage deeply, he also adores his neighbors in Spain, referring to his interest in exploring other cultures. His quest to explore musical genres is not limited to Europe, however. Pedro shared his love for Pakistani music, fondly reminiscing about being introduced to legendary Qawals such as Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and the Sabri Brothers when he was 15. “Music from South Asia touches my heart; it is indeed incredible,” he gushed before a beaming audience.

The session soon turned into an immersive experience when Pedro Jóia invited audience members to join him on stage. One enthusiastic young guitarist accepted the offer and played alongside the maestro with aplomb. With the tone of a benevolent teacher, Pedro emphasized the importance of daily practice, likening it to a half-hour daily walk that yields significant long-term benefits. “Music has a lot of engineering and repetition; it is all about daily practice.”

His Excellency Frederico Silva, Ambassador of Portugal to Pakistan, who attended the event as Chief Guest, concluded the session by sharing his contemplations. “We are happy to collaborate with Aga Khan Cultural Service – Pakistan and Olomopolo Media. I have learned over the years that culture is one of the best tools that can be used in my line of work, since my job is not just about connecting countries, but also people.”

The Ambassador pleasantly surprised the audience by serenading them with an impromptu but dexterous performance, which included strumming a guitar and singing.

Speaking about the event, Kanwal Khoosat, Executive Director of Olomopolo Media, said: “It was an absolute pleasure to host Pedro Jóia at Olomopolo. Cultural exchange through the arts has always been a cornerstone of our work, and today, we were fortunate to experience an incredible performance that beautifully fused Portuguese and Spanish classical traditions.”

Meanwhile, the CEO of AKCS-P, Tausif Khawaja, noted: “This successful collaboration with Olomopolo and the Portuguese Embassy has been heartening, and the masterclass was truly a learning experience. The audience turnout and engagement demonstrate the power of music to bridge cultures and inspire creativity. I look forward to more endeavors in the future that involve this kind of cultural exchange.”