Beethoven's 5th Symphony

The Japanese call it ikigai, the philosopher-poet Horace called it carpe diem in Ancient Rome, the French describe it as joie de vivre and the philosopher Epicurus even founded a school of thought that came to be known by his name. Basically, they all talk about more or less the same thing. And in the 18th century, the composer Ludwig van Beethoven took Friedrich Schiller's poem and the teachings of so many others and gave shape to these feelings and ways of being in life in what is one of the most recognisable works of all time: Ode to Joy. In the year that marked the 500th anniversary of the composer's birth, the Portuguese Philharmonic Orchestra performed at Cistermúsica playing works by this timeless German artist. And joy overflowed through the streets of the city.

It overflowed inside the Monastery, in the corridors, out in the open, nearer or further away, and even leaped out from behind the masks. And even with the mask on, the eyes do not hide genuine joy.

Often we don't remember what happened, but what we felt when something happened. In this case, I can't say I remember exactly what happened in this concert, but I remember the joy. And I remembered that feeling through these photographs (and why - but not only! - that photography is such an appealing and interesting art).

And better than a good experience, only a good shared experience.