UC QuakeBox Collection Released

The UC CEISMIC team are very proud to announce the first release of 2010 and 2011 earthquake stories collected by the University of Canterbury's QuakeBox recording studio.

The QuakeBox, a collaborative project between UC CEISMIC and the New Zealand Institute of Language, Brain and Behaviour, has recorded more than 700 members of the public talking about their experiences during the earthquakes and the beginnings of the rebuild of Christchurch. With transcription and preparation of the videos now well under way, we have made the first 65 available to the public from today on the CEISMIC website. The team plan to have 150 stories available by the end of June.
 
UC QuakeBox has a Facebook page which is the best place to find updates and see what others are saying about the project.
 
The project aims to enable further research into the impacts of the earthquakes on Christchurch communities. UC Professor Jen Hay says 723 stories were recorded in 13 different languages at 9 different locations across the city.
 
"The collection highlights the diversity of people's experiences.  But certain recurring themes are also present throughout the stories. A strong sense of community comes through, with people often expressing their appreciation to those who helped them during the quakes, or were seen to be helping others."
 
"It is clear that there is a feeling of camaraderie in the community and that Cantabrians have experienced these events together."

UC QuakeBox has been supported by the Canterbury Community Trust, PBT Transport and Leighs Construction.

 

Photograph © Wayne Williams, Port Hills Productions.  All rights reserved.