Guinness World Records Title Sheds Light on Brazil’s Homeless Dog Population

BRAZILIANS DANILO SCHWARZ AND MEIRE MATAYOSHI CREATED 1,010 ORIGAMI DOGS TO HONOR THE NUMBER OF HOMELESS DOGS AND SET A GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ TITLE

Danilo Schwarz (Astrologer) and Meire Matayoshi (Origamist) from São Paulo, Brazil celebrated the New Year with a Guinness World Records title for the largest display of origami dogs. With a total of 1,010 pieces, the display represents the vast number of homeless dogs without families to share their unconditional love, companionship, and loyalty.

This labor of love took 60 days to assemble, using a variety of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and purple colored paper.

With the goal to highlight the value and importance of animals, in particular dogs, Danilo and Meire see this as a remarkable achievement, “[dogs] represent protection, kindness, the ultimate companion and man’s best friend, an animal who expresses and shares pure, unconditional love with humans.”

Origami is an art form that originated in Japan and consists of meticulous paper-folding to create animals and other recognizable shapes. Ranging from basic to complex designs, artists transform paper into a multitude of shapes and sizes, all without cutting or gluing. This folding technique allows individuals’ creativity and imagination to soar – and sometimes, even leads to record breaking. 

Initially intimidated by the number figures they needed to create, neither record holder anticipated how enjoyable the experience would be. The practice of folding became therapeutic, one which helped them to feel a sense of calm and connection with the present moment, which has been crucial during these times.

“Folding is a therapy. You start the initial folds and, before you know it, you already have the piece ready. Maybe at the beginning, the folding does not go exactly the way you want, but you have to keep trying, and it will become easier with practice,” said Meire.

Danilo plans to continue breaking records. One of his aspirations is to set the record for the largest astrology lesson.

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