For the third year in a row, I am participating in the Braga em Risco illustration festival, which hosts exhibitions, book presentations, and illustration workshops for schoolchildren in Braga. This year’s theme is “Tempo Infinito” (“Infinite Time”), which feels particularly symbolic for me lately as I’ve been deeply fascinated by the space.
Not long ago, I visited "the Dark Sky" Observatory in Alqueva and learned that the starlight we see at night has traveled for millions of years to reach us. That means it was sent to us during the time when dinosaurs still roamed the Earth. Some of those stars may no longer even exist, and yet their light continues to reach us. This realization left me both awestruck and a little overwhelmed
—it’s difficult to process thoughts that deep.
Braga, as a city, seems timeless in its own way. The Roman ruins, historic churches, and the sound of bells echoing through the old town from morning to evening make it feel like you are standing at the heart of history. I love the vibe of this city. This is my fifth time visiting, and I’ve already established a routine here—I know where to go for groceries, where to get great coffee, and I even have local acquaintances, which makes it impossible to feel lonely.
The festival work has been intense.
During the first two days, I was completely exhausted, with my hands numb from the constant activity. Together with the team of illustrators, we painted shop windows around the city and decorated the exhibition spaces. The most fun part, though, was hosting workshops at local primary schools. I taught first- to third-graders how to make abstract collages, and together, we created many beautiful, vibrant pieces. This was a personal challenge for me since I had to teach in Portuguese, but it was incredibly rewarding.
