Solentra: ‘RE-IMAGINE’ (Workshop)

‘RE-IMAGINE’: Covid-19 through the lens of young refugees and newcomers

It is now 3 years since the corona pandemic rocked our society, with unseen consequences in all areas of life. The pandemic, and measures to contain it, also had a huge impact on the mental well-being of many and especially the most vulnerable in our society. One of the groups that suffered extra hardships but stayed out of the picture were refugees and newcomers.

Over the past year, Solentra engaged in an action research project with young refugees and newcomers to explore the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on their mental well-being and how they coped with the crisis. 29 young people, coming from more than 10 different countries, took photos expressing how they experienced the lockdowns and covid measures in Belgium: the difficulties but also what they drew strength from.

The result is a moving and inspiring collection of photographs with personal stories that testify to an enormous resilience, despite the precarious situation in which young people live. 

To make this trajectory visible, Solentra came to Globe Aroma with the following question: how do you make this work visible around an exhibition?

Globe Aroma connected Gaelle Khalife and Deborah Ephrem with Solentra to help the young people present their photos and stories. They will meet on Tuesday, April 4, in the Globe Aroma co-working space to reflect together on how to showcase their photos and create a collaborative work.

The result will be on display at the “RE-IMAGINE” exhibition at the Pianofabriek!

Vernissage

On Friday, April 21 (7-10pm) we will open the expo with testimonies from the young people who participated in the project. Everyone is welcome.

Program:

• Presentation of action research results (Ernesto Gomez Cangas, psychologist at Solentra)
• Testimonies of young people

Practical info

• Period and opening hours exhibition: from Friday April 21 to Tuesday May 4, 2023 (continuously from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
• Location: Pianofabriek, Fortstraat 35, 1060 Sint-Gillis
• Contact: solentra@uzbrussel.be / Tel: 02 477 57 15

About Solentra

Solentra is an expert in psychological care and assistance for people with refugee backgrounds. Both children, young adults, adults and families can come to us. This often involves war trauma that requires a very specific approach.

This Solentra project came about with the support of the Koning Boudewijnstichting (UCB Funds), Globe Aroma and Pianofabriek.