Storytelling across continents

Lori Herber has helped stretch the influence of the Dept. of Journalism across the Atlantic to a European cultural hub through her passion for multimedia storytelling.

Herber, who graduated with her bachelor’s in German and journalism in 2004 and her master’s in journalism in 2005 from Ball State, debuted her interactive storytelling project, “Rising from the Rust,” as part of the Ruhr Museum’s grand opening in Germany.

The museum and project opened Jan. 9 in Essen, Germany.

The Ruhr Region, in western Germany, used to be a powerhouse of the country, Herber said. During World War II, it was responsible for developing artillery. After the war, it became the site of almost 600 steel mills.

“You couldn’t hang sheets outside because of the industry,” Herber said. “They would turn black.”

Over time, the area underwent an economic shift. Most of the steel mills closed. Herber said that only five mills remain today. It could have made the region desolate.

In response, a cultural identity began to spring up in the region. Abandoned steel mills were remodeled into museums and opera houses.

Subsequently, the Ruhr Region was named the “European Cultural Capital of 2010.” The region now hosts countless festivals, art shows, musicals and more, Herber said.

Telling stories that matter

Sponsored by a grant from the Robert Bosch Foundation, Herber traveled to Germany for a year, trying to learn about the people in this transitioning region. She wanted to find a way to tell the story of the people of the Ruhr Region, but didn’t want to put her words in their mouths.

“As we’re trained as journalists, let the people tell their stories,” she said.

She met a variety of people in her research. She interviewed a Turkish citizen, a schoolteacher and a coal miner who had worked in the mines for 38 years. She conducted all the interviews in German.

Herber said that approaching the coal miners was particularly interesting. She would meet the coal miners during their weekly Thursday meeting at a coalmine. As a journalist, she was initially rejected.

But through some persistence, and after sharing a few drinks, she was able to gain their trust and get her information.

Once Herber had her stories, she wanted to find a way to preserve them.

“You need an audience,” she said. “You don’t want it buried in the digital graveyard.”

After Herber shopped the project around, the Ruhr Museum purchased it. Her work will be on display in the museum for the next 10 years. The project is presented via touch screen in the museum.

Family connection

Herber said it is a great honor to have an exhibit in the largest museum in the region.

She became interested in the region not only because of its interesting background, but also due to a personal connection. Her great-grandmother came from the Ruhr Region.

“It’s great to see how the family has come full circle,” she said.

Herber credits Ball State’s journalism program for helping her develop the skills that made this project possible. She particularly noted her experience in Pam Farmen’s digital storytelling class.

For her next project, Herber said she is interesting in looking at the role of Turkish citizens living in Germany.