Verlust

Verlust

We live in times of loss. Culture, freedom, life. The loss affects us all, makes us more equal than ever.

The sociologist and risk researcher Ulrich Beck, who unfortunately died far too early and would certainly have had something to say today, spoke of the equalizing effect of man-made or man-made-induced disasters.

Their stories of loss are ours.

Wuhan

An Wuhan Diary
In the Eye of the Storm

January 23 was the day the city went into lockdown, one day before Lunar New Year’s Eve. It was still dark outside when I woke up, just after 4 a.m. I reached for my phone and saw a message from Xiaohuo, a former schoolmate: “Beginning at 10 a.m. today, all of Wuhan’s public transportation systems, including buses and subways, will discontinue service. The city’s airport and train stations, as well as other methods for leaving the city, will also be shut down.” The announcement had been released at 2 a.m. There were quotes around the subject heading: “City Lockdown”.

Wuhan (#8246)

Record of some Losses #1
Wuhan, Central Hospital, a Nurse

The 24-year-old Ye Qi worked for a month without interruption.

Wuhan (#6874)

Record of some Losses #2
Wuhan, Qiaokou District, an Entrepreneur

At 6:40 a.m. on 31 January, Wang Changhua lost his mother. Today, his business is also on the brink of collapse.

Commemoration (#1)

Record of some Losses #3
Berlin, the Brandenburg Gate, an Activist

Lin Zi, a thirty-one-year-old woman from Shanghai, heard that Li Wenliang had died while she waiting at Stockholm Airport for a flight back to Berlin.

Wuhan (#6835)

Record of some Losses #4
Wuhan, Wuchang District, a husband

Ever since Zhang Hong passed away, Xie Qing has felt like he is dreaming.

Wuhan (#8745)

Record of some Losses #5
Jiang’an District, Wuhan, a Son

On February 4, while still waiting for a hospital bed, Wong Hongfa’s aunt died in the lobby of a hospital. The same predicament now threatened Wong Hongfa’s parents, who are in their eighties.

Wuhan (#8753)

Record of some Losses #6
Huanggang, Yingshan County, a Volunteer

At first, twenty-five-year-old Zhang Li had only wanted to donate some money.

Wuhan (#7215)

Record of some Losses #7
Wuhan, Hanjiang Bridge, Three Stories of Being Stranded

In the past week, journalists Zhang Zhuo and Ren Wu from “The Paper”, and Lin Qiuming from „People“, encountered many people from outside of Wuhan who were now detained in the city due to the lockdown.

Record of some Losses #8
Henan, City of Zhengzhou, a Student

Li Moumin tried to kill herself.

Wuhan (#9250)

Record of some Losses #9
Yunnan, Hubei, Xinjiang, three Beekeepers

Beekeepers rely on following seasonal flower blooms for their livelihoods, and each year is a gamble.

© Goethe-Institut China 2020

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