“There is nothing permanent except change.” – Heraclitus
When I visit somewhere, I like to look into its local history. I usually do that by looking at the different signs and landmarks in the area. I try to do a little research beforehand, but more often I learn about it along the way and afterward. So many different places around the world have a unique and rich history to explore. This history speaks to who the people are that live in this region. That history explains many of the customs and ideas an area has. That’s why I love to learn about somewhere that I visit. From small towns nearby to European cities across the Atlantic, there is so much culture around the world to learn about.
Another way to learn about a city’s history is by looking at its statues. I remember visiting Nassau and seeing a statue with its head knocked off. This was a statue of Christopher Columbus. I learned a watered-down version about him when I was younger, but after reading more about him, I see why the people of Nassau have an uncomfortable relationship with him. These statues from Stornoway, Scotland, tell a more positive message about the town. The one with the yellow jacket reminds everyone of a time when the fishing boom was big in Stornoway. The town of Stornoway today has around 4,500 people. At the peak of the fishing boom in the 1800s, there were over 6,000 at one time. Carved wooden figure wearing wellingtons, a sou’wester, and a long yellow coat holding a salmon on a line. The other statue, known as the “Peat Lady,” is a life-sized wooden carving located on Point Street in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis, Scotland. Created by sculptor Simon James O’Rourke, the artwork honors the heritage and hard work of local women involved in the traditional cutting and gathering of peat. The other photos are of different scenes from Stornoway.
Through Griffin's Lens 