I grew up in a village along the border between Austria and Slovakia, where the Iron Curtain snaked through just two years before I was born. Even though I never saw it with my own eyes, these experiences had a tremendous influence on who I became as a person.

As a ‘border girl’, the experience of what felt like growing up at ‘the end of the world’, laid the foundation for my critical thinking and interest in questioning given structures. Leaving my home allowed me to become aware of the learned truths from my childhood. Reflecting on those seemingly normal situations, that affected my view on the world, instilled a strong sense of empathy and interest in ‘the other side’. 

Rooted in that personal journey lies my deep fascination in how historical events shape our lives through seemingly random occurrences.