A series of short films commemorating the 50th anniversary of Peace Corps is on display at the Winston-Salem Museum of Anthropology until the end of the fall semester. The collection was produced and directed by Roman Safiullin (MFA '11) and includes 12 episodes of Peace Corps Volunteers retelling their experiences.
The videos are part of a larger exhibit that includes items brought back from around the world by local Triad-area volunteers dating as far back as 1962. The exhibit is titled Local Peace Corps Volunteers: Bringing Cultures Together for 50 Years and includes stories from Zaire to Tunisia and all places in between.
"Since President Kennedy established Peace Corps 50 years ago the slogans may have changed, but the mission of connecting remains the same," Safiullin said. "In the divided world today, it has never been more important."
Safiullin believes the Peace Corps has remained an integral part of American foreign policy during the past 50 years due to its intangible benefits that "cannot be measured in dollars and cents." His video profiles touch on these elements as well as the far-reaching cultural influences that the Peace Corps has on each of its volunteers.
"Over and over, we’ve heard that volunteers who were interested in understanding others have gained new tools on how to reach out, connect, and lead," Safiullin said. "Having them in the Piedmont-Triad area, I believe, has made this a stronger, more vibrant community."
As part of the Reynolda Mile Gallery Walk, the Local Peace Corps Volunteers exhibit will hold a reception Oct. 14 from 4:30 until 7:30 p.m. The museum is located on the Reynolda Campus of Wake Forest University, behind Kentner Stadium.
The Documentary Film Program @ Wake Forest University
Box 7347, Reynolda Station | Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27109 | 336.758.3367
documentary@wfu.edu