Pablo Neruda - You Can't Stop the Spring tea towel

The words on this tea towel are attributed to the great Chilean poet Pablo Neruda and appear in various forms in popular songs inspired by his work: "Podrán cortar todas las flores, pero no podrán detener la primavera" (“They can cut down all the flowers but they can’t stop spring”). It’s a message of hope when the outlook seems to be only bleak.

We’ve coupled the words with a detail from Van Gogh’s ‘Almond Blossom’ painted in February 1890. Large blossom branches like this against a blue sky were one of Van Gogh’s favourite subjects. Almond trees flower early in the spring making them a symbol of new life. The painting is on display in the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.