Sticky Post

Life 100 Years Ago – 10 Things I Learned from a 20’s French Almanac | Art of Saudade

In the heart of Lyon’s Sunday flea markets, I stumbled upon a fascinating artifact – a weathered 1927 Almanac. The Almanac, a treasure trove of information from times gone by, served as a window into the lives and minds of our ancestors, providing insights into their thoughts, habits, and quirks. As I delved into the yellowed pages of this relic, I discovered a world that … Continue reading Life 100 Years Ago – 10 Things I Learned from a 20’s French Almanac | Art of Saudade

Sticky Post

Unpacking Emotions: Kristeva’s Journey through Nostalgia and the ‘Silence of Polyglots’ | Art of Saudade

Literature is magic. Philosophy and psychology, on the other hand, are the alchemists attempting to distill the essence of this magic into the structured language of science. Today, we’re delving into the intriguing world of Julia Kristeva’s ‘Étrangers à nous-mêmes’ (Strangers to Ourselves), a masterpiece that landed in my hands amidst the hustle of moving from one ‘foreign’ land to another. Here I am, at … Continue reading Unpacking Emotions: Kristeva’s Journey through Nostalgia and the ‘Silence of Polyglots’ | Art of Saudade

Sticky Post

Cultivating Independence: What Miley Cyrus and Borges Share in the Art of Self-Love | Art of Saudade

The other day, I was strolling through the supermarket, and a song started playing over the speakers. The chorus went something like, “I can buy myself flowers.” The lyrics caught my attention, and my mind instantly connected them to a quote I had read before from Jorge Luis Borges: “After a while you learn…That even sunshine burns if you get too much.So plant your garden … Continue reading Cultivating Independence: What Miley Cyrus and Borges Share in the Art of Self-Love | Art of Saudade

Time Traveler’s Guide: Immersing in Germany’s Legends at the Roman Museum | Xanten, Germany | Art of Saudade

Welcome, fellow travelers, to a captivating tale of ancient lands, epic battles, and myths. In our quest to explore the rich history of Germany, we embark on a journey back in time to the 1st century BC. Join us as we traverse the remnants of an era when the Roman Republic sought to conquer the lands of Germania, leaving behind a legacy that shaped the … Continue reading Time Traveler’s Guide: Immersing in Germany’s Legends at the Roman Museum | Xanten, Germany | Art of Saudade

Lost in Lisbon’s Words: A Journey Inspired by Fernando Pessoa | Art of Saudade

The enigmatic presence of Fernando Pessoa continues to guide us through Lisbon’s labyrinthine and poetic streets. Before embarking on my journey to the magnificent Portuguese capital, I made sure to read this poet’s masterpiece, a guidebook called “Lisbon – What the Tourist Should See”. By following his footsteps, I could delve deeper into the very same streets that inspired his exquisite verses, and experience the … Continue reading Lost in Lisbon’s Words: A Journey Inspired by Fernando Pessoa | Art of Saudade

Moving through Space and Time: Georges Perec’s Insights on Moving | Art of Saudade

Moving is one of the most profound human experiences, a transformative journey that challenges us to embrace the unknown. It is a change of space, of place, of life. This outlook is echoed by French writer Georges Perec, who reflected on the many facets of space, including the experience of moving in his essay Species of Spaces. “The art of living is the art of … Continue reading Moving through Space and Time: Georges Perec’s Insights on Moving | Art of Saudade

How to Master Shoshin: The Art of Embracing a Beginner’s Mind | Art of Saudade

Have you ever tried to approach a task with the mindset of a total beginner, even if you were an expert in the field? While it may seem easy to adopt a beginner’s mind and approach new challenges with a fresh perspective, the reality can be far more challenging. So, why is Shoshin such a powerful and fruitful philosophy of life? By embracing this mindset, … Continue reading How to Master Shoshin: The Art of Embracing a Beginner’s Mind | Art of Saudade

Exploring the Enchanted Forests of the Balkans: A Hiking Adventure for Fiction Writers | Kamenjane waterfalls | Art of Saudade

The forest is the perfect place to escape everyday life’s noise and distractions and focus on your thoughts and emotions. The sights, sounds, and smells of the forest provide a sense of tranquility, peace, and isolation, which is a great way to reconnect with nature, unwind and de-stress. Kamenjane is a village located in the Shar Mountains, among the highest mountains in the Balkans. The … Continue reading Exploring the Enchanted Forests of the Balkans: A Hiking Adventure for Fiction Writers | Kamenjane waterfalls | Art of Saudade

Jorge Luis Borges on Life and Regrets | Art of Saudade

“Any life, however long and complicated it may be, actually consists of a single moment — the moment when a man knows forevermore who he is.” –Jorge Luis Borges Only 20th-century writer Jorge Luis Borges could poetically express the essence of life without using any poetry. During his childhood, he had everything to become one of the best storytellers in the world: his mother often … Continue reading Jorge Luis Borges on Life and Regrets | Art of Saudade

The Art of Writing an Entire Novel Without The Letter E | Georges Perec | Art of Saudade

Can you make a sentence without using the letter E? It may seem a bit hard, but not impossible. How about a 500 characters text? It’s getting more complicated, right? Now try to write a 500 pages novel without one of the most commonly used letters in the alphabet (at least in most of the European languages). Well, this is what the French author Georges … Continue reading The Art of Writing an Entire Novel Without The Letter E | Georges Perec | Art of Saudade