History in Focus S3 E7 Archiving Loss, Learning, and Time in the Field
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Mar 5, 2025 Historian Lily Pearl Balloffet, who studies South-South connections between Latin America and the Middle East, shares her insights on how the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted vital human relationships in historical research. She reflects on emotional bonds formed through history, the profound loss of a mentor, and navigating grief during the pandemic. Lily also emphasizes the transformative power of friendships in academia, while intertwining themes of nature, memory, and the impact of personal connections in shaping one's scholarly journey.
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Solitude and Connection in Research
- The author finds the solitude of archival research both peaceful and lonely.
- Human connection is vital to their historical work.
Meeting Pippo
- The author formed a key friendship with Edgardo "Pippo" Bechara Eljuri in Buenos Aires in 2011.
- They bonded over shared interests in Latin American and Middle Eastern cultural connections.
Pippo's Passing
- During the pandemic, the author learned of Pippo's sudden death from COVID-19.
- The news brought a wave of grief and highlighted the fragility of connection.