'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
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Toronto police seek suspect vehicle after security guard shot outside Drake's mansion
Toronto police are seeking help from the public as they continue to investigate a shooting that seriously injured a security guard outside rapper Drake's mansion.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
These snakes not only fake their own deaths, they use gory special effects to do it
Awards season may be over for human actors this year, but there’s no rest for some of nature’s most audacious thespians.