The act of baking apple pies carries deep symbolic meaning, much like family photos and albums, which capture memories, moments, and identities. Just as a photo album preserves snapshots of our past, apple pie recipes serve as a metaphor for the preservation of family traditions and cultural heritage. Each ingredient, each slice of pie, holds a piece of home—a shared experience, a familiar taste, and a connection to those who came before us.
“In my family, we would slice the apple pie into portions, ensuring that everyone had a piece, creating a moment of connection and belonging. Now, as I bake far from home, I realize that sharing pie no longer follows the same recipe. It is no longer just about sharing the taste of home—it is about building new connections and fostering a sense of community in an unfamiliar place. It is a reminder that even in exile or migration, we carry with us the recipes and traditions that define us, adapting them to new circumstances while still holding onto the essence of where we come from,” the artist recalls.
Like a family photo, an apple pie becomes a vessel for memory, identity, and belonging. It preserves the taste of home, even as we navigate displacement, conflict, and an ever-changing world. Through baking, we share more than food—we share our stories, our resilience, and our longing to remain connected, no matter where we are.
Belarusian Contemporary Artists
This project unites participants from diverse backgrounds, premiering in Stockholm, Sweden, where Ukrainian refugees baked Belarusian apple pies using the abundant harvest of Swedish apples. This heartfelt moment created a deep bond between displaced individuals and their cultural heritage, demonstrating the resilience of tradition in the face of adversity.
Through this initiative, Belarusian artist Ludmila Christeseva brings her concerns about preserving Belarusian identity into a broader dialogue on climate change and sustainability within Swedish society. By intertwining these themes, the project offers Christeseva a platform to amplify her voice, resonating across both the art world and academia. Ultimately, this collaborative effort stands as a powerful statement on the intersection of identity, solidarity, and environmental responsibility.
My Apple Tree Behind Bars
In collaboration with Belarusian artist Liliya Busarava, L. Christeseva initiated the production of the animated film My Apple Tree Behind Bars, believing that in today’s world of increasing migration, many would resonate with its narrative and share their experiences of displacement and uncertainty about the future.