A tender story about adulthood that will remind you of the value of symbols

April 22, 2022

Robert

The title of the book “The Girl and the Girl”, published by Poe, reveals the subject in a symbolic way, as it could be a reflection of ourselves.

“The lowercase and uppercase letters are not accidental. “Girl and Girl” includes this process of coming of age in five words. Apart from all the other symbolic elements that Lela put in the illustration. “From the roses that start buds and finally bloom to the red shoes that replace the wellies and so much more,” says Sofianna Theofanous, author of the book.

What was the inspiration for the book?

The inspiration for the book was the dream of a little friend of mine from Semina. It also has the corresponding dedication on the inside cover. When he told me something in there, he touched me. She touched a similar part of me that was always looking to grow up, so I edited her own experience, found where it fits in with mine and this text came out. Later, I edited it again, removed it again and again until it became a style and concentration exercise for me.

Do references to milk and coffee refer to the thirst for life?

This is a very nice association, although my thinking is more cliché. Milk nourishes us when we are children and as we grow older we replace it, like so many others. But these two are very typical drinks of childhood and adult life respectively and in a small book like this, the symbols need to tell the story on their own. But I also really like the thirst for life that definitely belongs in the elements of history.

What symbolism does the dress have for you?

First of all, let me admit that I do not wear dresses in any form, although I buy from time to time and leave them in the closet. I consider it a very feminine element and in Lela’s illustration it slowly shortens and turns gray as it goes through the stages of adulthood. It works beyond the symbolic and very practical for the economy of history.

Are we always looking for ourselves? Have you found a way to find yourself whenever you can lose it?

Sometimes we lose it, we find it, we lose it again. But our core is the same, we are always somewhere even if we do not see it clearly many times. Growing up normally I think it would be wise to find ourselves more easily mainly due to time, but some of the most interesting people I know in this life are left to lose for a long time and then come back tougher. So, this is a creative waste of time, trying to see where you are at all times.

Would you say that there is in history a cancellation of material goods in search of happiness? Red shoes give instant joy and hope but in the end … are people always the solution?

Oh, no. I do not cancel the material goods at all, as soon as I consider them necessary. But an even greater necessity is a hug that will comfort you if something goes wrong. Material goods do not comfort, they offer but they do not fill the heart with joy.

Is (correct) love another means of helping us find ourselves?

Love is love and no matter how it develops, it is a necessary path of self-knowledge. The moment you meet someone and think that everything is in place, as it should be, is not exchanged. I think that’s kind of how it is when you find yourself. Everything is where it should be.

Or is it ultimately the goal of joy in life to get to know and love ourselves?

This is why many tons of ink have been spilled… It is not the same for everyone, although I think that in the end the chest with the treasure hides the “knowledge of him”. And as a friend says “it’s good to feel at home in your own skin”.

Finally, I want to say a few words about your collaboration with Lela Stroutsi who undertook the design of the book. Happy, creative, supportive and calm! And always there to listen to my anxieties. I hope to see you again soon.