Photographer's Dog Stock Photos Become Viral Meme 'Aifolou'

Photographer Iryna Kalamurza's stock photos of her Jack Russell terrier, Maya, unexpectedly became a viral meme in Brazil, nicknamed 'cachorro Aifolou.' The meme originated from a video set to Lykke Li's song 'I Follow Rivers,' remixed by The Magician, where the lyrics were misheard as 'Aifolou.' Kalamurza, originally from Kyiv, Ukraine, began photographing Maya in 2012 while working at a photo studio, using her as a model to practice lighting. The images were popular on stock platforms, sold to dog food companies, magazines, and ad campaigns. After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Kalamurza and Maya moved to Barcelona, where she started receiving messages from Brazilians about her dog. The meme later evolved into 'Wenomechainsama,' a phonetic misinterpretation of Calvin Harris's 'When I Met You in the Summer,' and appeared at Harris's concerts. Despite the global spread, Kalamurza earned no money from the meme due to stock photography licensing. Maya passed away at age 16, but her images continue to circulate online. Kalamurza continues her photography career in Barcelona, specializing in portraits, interiors, and marriage proposals.