🌸 “The Song of Two Flowers” 🌸

This October, Stijn and I were invited by Douro Street Art Festival to paint a mural in the village of Espinho, in the Douro Valley, Portugal.

We painted two flowers, each with a face, growing from the same vase, a simple image that, for me, speaks about listening. I believe that for any tradition to stay alive, it needs dialogue: between generations, between memories and the present. As the young, we must listen to the stories of those who came before us. And just as importantly, the older generation must also listen to the dreams and ideas of the young. That exchange keeps culture breathing.

When the mural was finished, an older lady approached us. She stood in front of the wall for a while. Then she told us, that the mural reminded her of an old Portuguese song. It was a song about a beautiful flower in a vase, and she said that many years ago, Espinho was known for its blooming gardens. She even sang a few lines, her voice soft but filled with warmth, carrying memories of a time long gone.