Tony brought home nuts, claiming Rosemary gave them to him, though she existed only in his dreams. Adolf and Raúl’s house was burned down by neighbors over land disputes. María, an emigrant, left her son in Galicia. Years after her return, he succumbed to alcoholism, a reflection of the broader struggles faced in rural areas. Sabucedo’s wild horses struggle for space as rural abandonment reduces their lands. The droughts of 2022/23 left 14.6% of Spain in water emergency, exposing critically low reservoirs. Aceredo village, submerged by the Lindoso reservoir, has reemerged due to droughts, offering a haunting glimpse into the past. Eucalyptus replanting for industry, including Altri’s proposed textile fiber plant, risks biodiversity, soil health, and water sustainability. The factory’s daily water use of 46 million liters threatens the Ulla River, a lifeline for the region.

These stories stem from Galicia, where reality blends legend. Change driven by climate challenges, depopulation, land abandonment, emigration, and alcoholism threatens the fragile identity of Galicia’s communities. This project sheds light on their struggle to adapt and survive.