They tried to bury us, they didn't know we were seeds

Dinos Christianopoulos

During Trans* Awareness Week last week, we created a small memorial garden for our queer* ancestors here at the Land Project in Portugal. We named the space "The Garden of Contemplation and Inspiration", inviting those at the Quinta to remember and contemplate., and to draw inspiration from those that are no longer with us.

The patch of land is located just below the Community House, directly next to the way leading to the brook.
From the patch, you can look up to the town, into the valley and also see the sunrise over the São Mamede range. We hope that, over time, the garden will develop into a sensory experience: feeling, smelling and seeing the plants planted in the memory of our ancestors.

To mark Trans* Day of Remembrance, we planted a hydrangea today in their memory, the first plant in our memorial garden at the Quinta. We chose the plant because it can change the colour of the flower from blue to pink.

We are now asking for your ideas and inspirations on how we can further transform the garden. Please share with us your ideas of whom to remember. Which plants bring up memories for you? Which queer* ancestors serve as a special inspiration for you? Which ideas do you hold how to remember, contemplate - and inspire those that are in the garden? I look forward to hearing from you!

With lots of love 

Stephan 

on behalf of the Quinta Project Community