Remembering Together: The Legacy of Clackmannanshire’s Remembering Together Project
As the Remembering Together project reaches its conclusion, the legacy it leaves behind is just beginning to take shape. This community-driven initiative, born from the collective grief and reflection on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, has paved the way for future generations to remember, heal, and understand the profound effect the pandemic had on Clackmannanshire.
A key element of this legacy is the permanent exhibition at the Carsebridge Cultural Campus. This exhibition will become a physical space where community members and visitors alike can explore the range of creative outputs from the project. Poetry, song, and visual arts—each created in collaboration with local communities—will be displayed for years to come. The exhibit will feature interactive elements, such as QR codes placed on art installations scattered throughout the county, allowing anyone to connect back to the online resources. Whether it's hearing the song composed for the county, watching the location-specific films, or reading the poetry generated by local citizens, these digital touchpoints will ensure that the stories and emotions of this period remain accessible.
The mapping visuals will form another powerful component of the project’s legacy. This map will provide a visual and emotional journey through Clackmannanshire’s towns and villages, connecting communities through the shared experience of the pandemic and its aftermath. Each location—whether it's a community hall, church, or public space—played an essential role in bringing people together. The art installations across these places will serve as lasting reminders of resilience and creativity, embedding the pandemic’s lessons into the physical landscape of the county.
As we look forward, the Healing Together Festival is set to become an annual event, a day where people from all walks of life can come together to celebrate creativity, share stories, and continue the healing process. This festival will serve as an ongoing reminder of how far we’ve come, and the power of collective action in times of crisis.
The strengthened relationships and partnerships formed during this project are perhaps one of its greatest legacies. Collaboration between artists, community groups, schools, churches, and the public and private sectors, has forged a network that will continue to support and uplift Clackmannanshire. These relationships have already laid the groundwork for future collaborative projects and events, ensuring that the community remains connected and empowered well into the future.
Ultimately, the Remembering Together project has demonstrated the immense power of art, collaboration, and storytelling to heal and unite communities. By embedding these stories in our physical spaces and cultural memory, we ensure that future generations can understand the emotional and societal impact of the pandemic—and, more importantly, recognise the strength and resilience that emerged from it.