Simple Happiness is one of Kyiv’s most touching murals. What draws you in first is the emotion: a small boy smiles from the wall, his carefree laughter seeming to break through the concrete city around him. The image gently reminds us that joy often hides in the simplest moments.
The mural is the work of Spanish artist Javier Robledo, known as XAV — a tattoo artist admired for his precision and attention to detail. He brought his distinctive style to the wall of a residential building, creating an image that is simple in form but rich in meaning.
The story behind the mural is symbolic, too. While XAV was working, one local resident strongly opposed the painting and tried to stop the artist. Despite the tension and difficulties, the mural was completed. Today, only the boy’s smile remains — a quiet reminder that sometimes happiness is simply allowing yourself to feel it.
Photos: funtime website
