The story of the "Kiss of Freedom"

One of Barcelona's most unique contemporary artworks, the "Kiss of Freedom" wall (Catalan: El Mural del Petó , Spanish: El Mural de los Besos ), is not only spectacular, but also carries a deep message. The wall was inaugurated in 2014 in a quiet, hidden corner of the city, Plaça d'Isidre Nonell , near the cathedral. The work was conceived by Joan Fontcuberta, a Catalan photographer who wanted to draw attention to freedom and the diversity of human emotions with this artpiece.

The wall basically depicts a giant kiss, but if you look closer, you can see that the image is made up of tiny 4,000 photo tiles. These mosaics were submitted by Barcelona residents and the public, when the artist asked people to share and send images that represent the concept of freedom for them. Among the submitted images, we find personal moments, family memories, nature photos, street scenes - the most diverse moments of life. These were combined to create the monumental kiss image, which thereby evokes not a single moment of love, but a shared celebration of human relationships, intimacy and freedom.

The original title of the work in Catalan is El món neix en cada besada , which means “The world is reborn in every kiss”. This idea was the guiding principle when creating the work, as according to the artist, every kiss – be it love, friendship or family – creates a new form of love, and thereby creates new worlds. The project goes beyond its romantic meaning: it sees the kiss as a universal emotion that connects people, cultures and generations.

The creation of the wall also has significance in Barcelona. The city is known for its openness, creativity and cultural diversity, and this work fits perfectly into this tradition. It is no coincidence that the work has quickly become one of the favorite hidden attractions for tourists and locals alike. Although at first glance it may seem like a simple romantic scene, it actually tells the story of togetherness, human stories and the power of community creation.

The Kiss of Freedom is not just a beautiful backdrop for photos, but a contemporary monument that pays tribute to freedom, emotions, and shared human experiences.