Migrant Voice at Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival

Migrant Voice at Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival

Migrant Voice was delighted to hold a 3-in-1 event, at the heart of Glasgow, as part of the city’s biggest annual festival, Doors Open Days, organised by Glasgow Building Preservation Trust. 

The event, in Edward House at 199 Sauchiehall Street, consisted of the launch of ‘Ye Awright, Pal?’ showcasing migrant drawings, short story reading sessions by refugee women about home followed by a Q&A, and a ‘Human Library’ with one-to-one conversations with local migrants. 

The opening night made for a welcoming and diverse atmosphere, which paved the way for inspiring, and heartfelt conversations. The event fostered a sense of a community and connection through the sharing of cultures, emotionally impactful stories, and the space to reflect on lived experiences. 

“[The event] was a fantastic opportunity for people from different walks of life to socialise, exchange experiences and learn more about other people’s life journeys, cultures, and experiences, both in Glasgow and elsewhere.” Says Dr Mirna Solic, a lecturer from the School of Modern Languages and Cultures at Glasgow University who co-hosted the Stories from Home section of the event. 

“I was very pleased and proud to see our own project’s participants sharing their stories in public and appreciating how daunting it must be to speak publicly in a foreign language,” she continues.

“I can just hope that for them this was a great learning experience, which will make them feel welcome and empowered in the town they now consider their own.”

Oksana Borysova, a refugee from Ukraine, whose short illustrated story was part of the event said: 

“Thank you for your invitation to the event at Edward House. It was my first time as a participant in the Human Library, and it was exciting to perform my story to so many people. And of course, it was nice to receive good feedback and feel that my story resonated with people.”

The event comes at a poignant time and challenges current British and international politics and the recent rise of often hostile anti-immigration protests by shedding light on the humanity behind immigration. 

This comment, left by one of the attendees, reflects this sentiment: 

“Heard about the event via Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival website. For myself as someone from Glasgow/English native who has been feeling very negative about my government / country / people and their attitudes and treatment of migrants / asylum seekers particularly recently to see and hear positive experiences people have had in Scotland / Glasgow. I will recommend it to others and bring my friends.”

The ‘Ye Awright, Pal?’ exhibition, which will continue to be open to the public until 30th October, navigates the complexities of immigrating to Scotland, offering a snapshot into the people, memories and things that Migrants leave behind as well as the new lives they step into.  

‘Ye Awright, Pal?’ is part of Migrant Voice’s ‘Putting Ourselves in the Picture project’, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. 

The exhibition will be open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 12-5pm. The venue is wheelchair accessible and it is free to attend.