Academics at Aberdeen University are hoping to create an archive preserving the creative ways people have responded to lockdown.
For the past month, people have plastered colourful images of rainbows to their windows to cheer up passersby, created eye-catching chalk drawings and even penned poems and songs about the situation.
The university’s Elphinstone Institute has now launched the Lockdown Lore Collection Project to offer future generations an insight into everyday life during the pandemic.
Those behind the scheme yesterday appealed for submissions to the archive.
Simon Gall, public engagement officer at the institute, said: “We think it’s vitally important to document the grassroots cultural response to lockdown across Scotland, as it provides a window into how individuals and communities deal with major disruptions to everyday life.
“By doing this we hope to learn something about the role of creativity in human resilience.”
A small team of volunteers have been brought together to interview people about their lives and experiences during the crisis as well – though the chats will be carried out via the internet.
The team is appealing for anybody, of any age, to share their experiences.
Nicolas Le Bigre, teaching fellow and archivist added: “The collection will be of use not just for people to enjoy and explore during this crisis, but will become a tool for future generations.
“We need the public to send us photos, songs, poems, talk to our volunteer interviewers about their lives under lockdown, and tell us about participatory digital initiatives they have created or know about.”
Click here to take part.
