Travellers in a pandemic in Uruguay – Where are they now? (Part 1)

The coronavirus pandemic trapped them in a country they did not know, yet they adopted it as their refuge. Where are these travellers a year later?

By Karen A Higgs

El País Pandemic Series

Last updated on March 26, 2021

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Heidi Lender: She’s now lived a year in one place

Heidi Lender, a US photographer, had never lived any place longer than five months in her entire life until she found herself stuck in her home, the creative institute and Uruguay-US non-profit, Campo. When I interviewed her in October, Heidi had already resigned herself to the fact that Campo’s annual December art festival was going to take place online and not on site in the tiny town of Garzon.

Heidi remains in Garzon. She’s been over a year now in one place! The festival which was called Breaking Borders took place in February with Uruguay-based artists set up their art and installations in locations around Garzon. The art was then filmed and are is showcased online. In the meantime Heidi was inspired to create a new program celebrating women and creativity called ELLAS. ELLAS brought together forty artists and producers this month. Heidi is delighted that many are from Montevideo—where she had few contacts when we spoke back in October.

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