Jelena Borak
Vassar College
Project
Peace of Mind through Storytelling
Ireland,Belgium,Cyprus,South Africa,Nepal,South Korea,Thailand
Post-war reconstruction often focuses on demolished infrastructure, ignoring the shattered relationship left in the wake of conflict. I will explore how storytelling—or giving testimony of one’s own experiences—functions in a post-conflict society and its potential role in healing divides between old foes, eventually leading to individual and collective healing. Through conducting interviews, documenting stories of grief and hope, and observing the transformation of relationships in these communities, I hope to discover what place storytelling might have in peacebuilding efforts.