RIO

saudade
noun

(especially with reference to songs or poetry) a feeling of longing, melancholy or nostalgia that is supposedly characteristic of the Portuguese or Brazilian temperament.

“Her songs are based on love poems and evoke a melancholy known to the Portuguese as saudade.”

This word, which exists only in Portuguese, defines Brazil itself for me. Rio is the land of endless beaches, people dancing on every corner, footballs soaring through the air, art, melancholy and those who embrace life with all its pleasures. By the end of my second month in Rio, I felt like a true local. I love staying in the places I visit for long periods, gradually adapting to their rhythm and moving through life like a local. This photo series is the result of those moments when I felt like a part of Rio and had fallen into its natural flow. For me, the defining characteristic of Brazilians is their love of movement. Walking down any street here, within just 100 metres, you might see people dancing samba, playing beach volleyball or football, skateboarding, surfing or playing music. I remember feeling as if the city itself was generating electricity from the constant motion of its people. Love and passion seem to be a sacred right here. Brazilians are not shy about expressing their affection, even in the streets. In Rio, it feels as if the photographs find the photographer. Some of my shots came to life while I was cycling through the city, while others were taken around Posto 9, the ninth kiosk, on Ipanema Beach, with the familiar sounds of bossa nova playing in the background. Like a fisherman, I waited patiently, observed and captured what I saw. Brazil was good for me. I can still taste the açai berries from the rainforest and feel the lingering joy of spending time in a place so light, carefree and full of life.

I hope that one day, everyone who reads these lines will find their way here.