'Physical evidence of the pandemic': New book reflects on COVID-19 experiences in Alberta
A new book shares poems, stories, and art depicting the struggles many Albertans faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Called COVID Collections, the work was unveiled as part of the Edmonton’s LitFest, a two-week-long celebration of writing that is Canada’s first and only non-fiction festival.
It features more than two dozen storytellers, writers, artists, and poets from Alberta and includes a diverse array of community voices, including BIPOC, disabled, and LGBTQ2S+ representation.
Annette Loiselle, one of the story collectors and artistic director of SkirtsAfire, told CTV News Edmonton how the book actually started out as a film produced for the SkirtsAfire Festival in March.
“The curator of the film Stephanie Florence,” Loiselle shared, “had the idea of making the film into a book.
"The whole idea was to create a document of this time in our lives and hear stories that aren’t necessarily our own.”
Autumn Sjølie, one of the editors and lead designers, described Florence as the pillar of the book, who was the curator, grant writer, and so much more.
For Sjølie, the book acts as a reflection of how different people experienced the pandemic, especially those from marginalized communities who were uniquely impacted.
“It’s physical evidence of the pandemic, of what’s happened,” Sjølie said. “It’s physical evidence of the stories that so often don’t get heard.
“(The book) acts as a voice for a wide range of people.”
“We often just hear the stories of our own families or in our own circles. In order to create true empathy as a larger community, we need to hear the stories of other people,” Loiselle said, “and knowing what people are going through.”
The book is available online or in-person from TIX on the Square, Audrey’s Books, and the Glass Bookshop.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.