Welcome to Borderlines

I’m Fried Didden, a freelance writer and photographer traveling through Eastern Europe, deeply focused on human rights and the intersections of healthcare and politics. This journey began in August, when I first traveled to Ukraine with my friend and brilliant journalist Vudi Xhymshiti, who writes powerfully through his Substack, Gunpowder Chronicles.

My passion for uncovering the human impact of collective trauma and unhealthy politics has driven me to document these critical issues.

With a background in healthcare and a career as a former development director in the industry, I bring a unique perspective to the stories I tell stories of violence, resilience, and the lasting scars that war and political turmoil leave on both individuals and societies. My interest lies not just in witnessing these events but in exploring the health of politics itself, and how its fractures can ripple through communities, shaping the course of history.

As I continue this journey, I believe I’ll have more opportunities to travel with Vudi across Eastern Europe, engaging with these urgent issues firsthand. I invite you to join me on this mission — to witness, document, and report on the profound human experiences I encounter along the way.

Please consider supporting my work by subscribing to Borderlines or sharing it with friends who share an interest in human rights, political health, and collective trauma. Your support will help me continue to shine a light on these important stories, ensuring they reach the wider world.

Thank you for being part of this journey.