English Version | Editor's Letter: September 2026

In some Asian countries, such as China, it is associated with bad luck, since the word "four" sounds very similar to the word "death." Therefore, it is not uncommon for buildings, hotels, and hospitals to go directly from the third to the fifth floor. Car license plates and cell phone numbers with the number 4 are sometimes less sought after and even sold for lower prices.

In our culture, however, 4 represents solidity and stability. For the Greek philosopher Pythagoras, it was a sacred and perfect number, a symbol of the harmony of nature: the four seasons of the year, the four elements—water, earth, fire, and air—among many other manifestations of order and balance.

In this issue, we have two personalities who are already true pop stars. José Condessa, the Portuguese actor with an increasingly solid career, not only at home, but also abroad, especially in Brazil and Spain.

José Condessa
Luís Monteiro

The image of the actor "taped" to the cover is inspired by the work Comedian, by the Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, presented in 2019. The work, which consists of a banana taped to the wall, has become one of the most talked-about symbols of contemporary art. The banana rots and inevitably needs to be replaced by another.

The parable depicted on this cover is precisely this: how long does fame last? And to what extent does a personality need to reinvent and adapt to remain relevant? I want to thank Condessa for wholeheartedly dedicating himself to this photoshoot.

Our second cover features Christian Louboutin, who has discovered in Portugal a kind of second home to which he always enjoys returning. His iconic red soles are already part of the fashion and pop culture landscape. An interview not to be missed, within our "Foreigners in Portugal" section.

Christian Louboutin
Marie Taillefer

The pages of this magazine are full of dreams, thought-provoking stories, and characters that inspire us to want to be better. But, contrary to what Pythagoras said, this fourth issue is not perfect, and the magazine cannot help but reflect the world we live in.

The war in Ukraine, which began more than four years ago, continues with no end in sight. In the report "Who will liberate us if not ourselves?", we enter the world of the Ivan Bohun military academy in Kyiv, where teenagers between 15 and 17 years old prepare for their future lives. They have regular subjects, but they also learn to defend their country—if necessary, with their own lives.

It is a very different reality from that experienced by most young Europeans. As the war continues, we risk forgetting the daily lives of a people who continue to fight for their independence, their identity, and their culture. This report is our tribute to these courageous people who, for many of us, are also fighting for freedom in Europe.

Dear reader, I hope this letter finds you well and, above all, with your batteries fully recharged for your return to work. If you are one of those who save their vacation for September, as they say, he who laughs last laughs best. Whatever the case, this fourth edition of Esquire will be with you and keep you company during your free time. Happy reading.

José Condessa
Luís Monteiro

Translated from the original in the September issue of Esquire Portugal. For full credits and stories, see the print issue.