An ongoing project.
Since moving to Portugal, I began noticing single chairs scattered everywhere. Some were separated from restaurant tables and left aside; others were abandoned by fishermen, parking attendants, construction workers, or beachgoers. While some chairs seemed to have simply lost their companions, many appeared in unexpected places, like the middle of the street or beneath a tree in a secluded forest. Before long, I became so fixated on this phenomenon that it felt like the chairs, in turn, became fixated on me. No matter where I went, there would always be another lone chair waiting for me.
Amidst it all, I found myself wondering if I could trace a pattern in their stories. Since I started noticing this in Portugal, I speculated that these lonely chairs might be connected to the country’s culture. My interpretation was that, as socially vibrant as the Portuguese are, perhaps they occasionally need a single chair to escape the bustle, to rest and sit quietly with their thoughts.
Initially, I linked this idea to the pandemic lockdowns, when, deprived of parties, cinemas, and gatherings, people had to learn how to be alone. Metaphorically speaking, we all fear sitting on a lonely chair, and it’s perhaps ironic that COVID forced many of us to do just that.
Nowadays, with the world challenged by wars, climate change, and political polarization, we all need moments to sit quietly with ourselves. Only then can we confront the most important person we know — ourselves. By finding compassion within, we are better equipped to extend it to the world around us.
So, please, take a seat.
