Nuno Ribeiro loves what he does. He devotes himself, body and soul, to the craft that brought him back to life, to his children, and to his family. The focused and serious look he wears while working leaves no room for doubt. And the satisfaction he shows when handing over a pair of repaired shoes is a true reflection of the exceptional professional he is.
In Lisbon, around Avenidas Novas and nearby, there’s no other cobbler like him. His workshop is tucked away in a small basement at Avenida 5 de Outubro, 142, near the intersection with Elias Garcia. From the outside, you can barely see Nuno “down there,” always busy getting things done. Even with the door open, you have to stop and peek in to spot him hard at work beneath the stairs. He never stops.
He seldom takes time to enjoy the shade of the jacaranda trees lining the avenue, from Saldanha to Entrecampos. Except for his morning coffee before starting the day, after lunch, or during a short break with a cigarette in hand, watching the world go by.
Despite his dedication, he sometimes lets his sense of humor and good spirits shine through. He says it’s not every day, but in all these years, I’ve never seen him any other way.
Clients constantly come and go, interrupting his work. One at a time. He manages it all calmly.
The real challenge, though, is finding the right shoes after they’ve been repaired — so many are the requests. The small, colorful handwritten ticket often vanishes from the customer’s wallet, and rarely appears when it’s needed. Even when it isn’t forgotten, if it doesn’t solve the mystery immediately, it at least offers a clue to identify the right bag hidden behind the door, among the suitcases and shoes waiting to be picked up:
— “It’s this one, isn’t it?”
Not long ago, he looked for a postcard of a cobbler in the city’s souvenir shops and couldn’t find one. Still hasn’t. He values his craft and knows those who seek him out and trust him do too. But he regrets that the city doesn’t recognize or appreciate the trade.
It’s been a hard-earned journey. With grit and determination, he turned a painful chapter of his life around. But it was also during that difficult time, when he became a cobbler, that he found himself — and reunited with his partner and children — becoming whole again, both personally and professionally.
There are professionals who stand out not just for what they do, but for who they are and what they generously give to others. And Nuno has that attitude. He’s a life lesson — someone who believed, gave everything, and succeeded in turning things around.
We’re lucky to have him around.
– Fotografias e gravação áudio feitas a 22 de Novembro de 2024.