In celebration of the 30th anniversary of Pessoa House, a captivating event unfolded at his historical casa. The idea of visitng Pessoa Museum had engaged me for quite some time, and finally, the stars aligned for my visit. Delving into the rich history of the house, I discovered it was not merely a museum but the very residence where Pessoa lived from 1920 to 1935. During a challenging phase in his life, Pessoa sought refuge in this home, crafting many of his influential works within its walls.
Pessoa’s works often delve into Nihilism, exploring themes of existential despair and meaninglessness. Growing up as a girl in a society filled with rules and conventions, he emerged as a guiding light for me. A liberating force that challenged the suffocating norms of do’s and don’ts. His influence became a reference, illustrating that concerns about our perceived importance and fears of immorality are, in essence, inessential.
“Nothing of nothing remains. We’re nothing. In the sun and air we put off brieflyThe unbreathable darkness of damp earthWhose weight we’ll have to bear—Postponed corpses that procreate.Laws passed, statues seen, odes finished—All have their grave. If we, heaps of fleshMade sanguine by an inner sun,Must set, then why not they?We’re tales telling tales, nothing…”
As I explored of the world over the years, delving into diverse cultures and perspectives, his words have endured in my life as a remarkable source of insight. Despite the existential questioning and skepticism, Pessoa injects an intense and passionate spirit into the diverse characters he creates.
His personas are like tiny dots in a vast picture, sometimes feeling really small and at other times possessing the profound potential to become everything. In each character he pens, whether it be the dreamy Alberto Caeiro, the introspective Ricardo Reis, or the enigmatic Álvaro de Campos, there is an undeniable enthusiasm that pulsates through their words. Even in those small moments, they have the power to make a significant impact. Yet, in those very moments, they possess the remarkable ability to shape their realities, infusing them with purpose and contributing intellectual meaning to our individual and collective experiences. This paradox illustrates the complex beauty of our existence.
‘I am the centre of everything surrounded by the great nothing.’
He continues to remind me that the boundaries we often impose on ourselves are arbitrary. In the big picture of existence, we swing between being nothing and everything.
‘’’’I am nothing. I’ll never be anything. I couldn’t want to be something. Apart from that, I have in me all the dreams in the world.’’’
His teachings echo in my consciousness, encouraging a perspective that transcends societal expectations and recognizes the boundless potential within each of us. Through the lens of his wisdom, the contrast of our existence becomes a beautiful paradox—both insignificant in the vastness of the universe and infinitely significant in our capacity to embrace the richness of life.
“My soul is a secret orchestra, but I don’t know what instruments – strings, harps, cymbals drums – strum and bang inside me. I only know myself as the symphony.’’
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