I had the honour of meeting a very talented person (amongst some other wonderful adoptees) whilst I visited Belgium recently.
Her name is Céline Lăcrămioara and she was born in Romania and adopted to Belgium. She speaks French and I do not, so I was very honoured that through the short conversations we did have, she trusted me enough afterwards to want to share with me her incredible portfolios. Her words and photos say it all! What an incredible way to share the power of lived experience, the complexities we grapple with, the journey of exploring our other half – our birth country and people. As a novice photographer, I am in awe of her photography which she does for a living. Incredible pieces of artwork!
Click on each image to see these two wonderful photographic portfolios created by Céline. The text is provided in both French and English.
Resources
Searching for my family in Romania
Reunion and Beyond (webinar which includes Romanian intercountry adoptee)
The only research which investigates the lived experience outcomes of Romanian domestic adoptees, intercountry adoptees, those who stayed in institutions, and foster care: Voices from the Silent Cradles – Life Histories of Romania’s Looked After Children