Museums & Galleries Edinburgh have issued a call to everyone living in Edinburgh for items or stories that will be used in telling the story of the Covid-19 pandemic in years to come.
You are asked to contribute your own items and stories to reflect how life in the city and the city itself has been impacted by the lockdown.
The curatorial team leading on this project are gathering public contributions so that they can record and preserve the significant moment in Edinburgh’s history, and chronicle it for future generations.
The Covid-19 pandemic and resulting lockdown has affected every aspect of the lives of Edinburgh’s residents, and Museums & Galleries Edinburgh are keen to create a contemporary collection which charts these significant changes to everyday life in the city.
The museums are looking for donations of objects and stories which capture the everyday experiences of the people of Edinburgh and the many ways in which they adapted and responded as their lives were transformed by Covid-19.
Items such as a note of an offer of help received by a neighbour, pyjamas worn all day indoors or a rainbow artwork created in support of keyworkers are all welcome. These are, of course, only suggestions. The call is very much about recording those things which helped people cope and get through the many challenges and uncertainties presented right now.
Those who are keen to help should email anna.macquarrie@edinburgh.gov.uk with details and an image if possible on the item or items for potential donation.
Given the current lockdown restrictions, no physical donations will be accepted until venues reopen but the curatorial staff will contact those contributors to make arrangements at an appropriate time.
City of Edinburgh Council Leader Adam McVey said:”This is an extraordinary period in our history that in due course we will want to look back on. By collecting objects, photographs and first-hand experiences of citizens now, we’re making sure we can capture this moment for future generations.”
Depute Leader Cammy Day added: “Often we look back and wish we could ask previous generations about the historic events they lived through and witnessed – this is our chance to document Edinburgh and Covid-19. The stories and images we capture for this collection will create a valuable insight into 2020 for generations to come.”
Anna MacQuarrie, Curator of History, Museums & Galleries Edinburgh said:”Our social history collections reflect daily life in Edinburgh over some hundreds of years. It’s never been more important for us to continue to show changes in the city than during this pandemic.
“Object donations from Edinburgh residents will help us to preserve experiences of this challenging time for future generations to understand how everyday life in the city changed so much and so suddenly.”
Further details on the project can be found on Museums and Galleries website.
Museums and Galleries Edinburgh comprises 13 venues managed by The City of Edinburgh Council. These include Lauriston Castle, photographed above, which has an amazing location overlooking the Firth of Forth, and an award-winning Japanese garden. There is a one-way system for pedestrians making their way round the gardens. The car park is currently closed to dissuade people from breaching the social distancing by driving to the place where they take their daily exercise.
The advice below is from the NHS Inform website where you can get more information on how social distancing works.
Stay at home
Everyone must stay at home as you can spread the virus even if you don’t have symptoms. Do not meet others, even friends or family.
You must:
- only go outside for food, health reasons or work (but only if you can’t work from home)
- only take one form of exercise a day, for example a run, walk or cycle alone or with members of your household
- stay 2 metres (6 feet) away from other people at all times If you go out
- wash your hands as soon as you get home
You can exercise more than once a day if you have a specific condition, such as autism or learning disabilities.
Read the Government’s full guidance for staying at home and away from others. This advice applies across the whole of the UK.
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
