Created for Conversas Na Rua festival 2025, discover the full map here

In the heart of the neighbourhood, this mural was born as a visual manifesto of care, unity, and hope. Under the theme “It takes a whole community to protect a child”, the work conveys the importance of collective support in building a safe and happy childhood.

At its centre, the gaze of a child who dreams and trusts, protected by an adult’s coat and the silent presence of a caretaker. A swallow tattooed on the arm symbolises home, migration, and return, a metaphor for this vibrant, multicultural neighbourhood.

The patterns on the scarf and coat echo traditions and colours from different origins, now gathered in one place. In the child’s hands, the simple gesture of holding bread with milk and chocolate: a universal memory of Portuguese childhood, a symbol of comfort and peace.

This mural reflects the community itself: a space where all stories belong, where everyone cares, and where each child can grow with the certainty of never being alone.