Bells and Silences: The Search for Tranquillity

Exploring the Impact of Noise on Contemplation and Creativity

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Prefatory Note

Dear readers,

Welcome to a special continuation of our 15th edition “Twin Minds: Alba & Anton”!

In this edition, we delve deeper into a crucial theme inspired by a comment from Carlota Gonçalves, sister of the poet Sebastião Alba, in response to the pieces included in the 14th edition. Carlota highlighted Alba’s sensitivity to the noise of church bells and his constant yearning for silence — a vital necessity for the flourishing of his thoughts.

Edition #14 highlighted the introspection and personal reflections of Alba and Anton, focusing on the dichotomy of the life of the hunter turned bureaucrat in the story “I Confess to Not Being Original” by Anton. This text was enriched with fragments of Alba evoking the beauty of small everyday things, including “Ave, ave” referring to the bells that ring every dawn in Braga.

In this Edition #15, we expand this reflection starting from the fragment “Ave, ave” and include a poem by Alba that highlights the issue of the impact of bells on Alba’s mental state.It is essential to share…