Where We Can Call Home Storytelling Festival

People have travelled from all over the world to come to BCP, others were born here.  Many of those interviewed went on to share their stories through community performances and talks as part of a programme of storytelling events, helping audiences learn about their individual journeys and explore the importance of finding somewhere we belong.  Here are some of the events we helped host.

HOPEFOOL BY VITA NOVA’S CELESTE
This thought-provoking, yet joyful performance about being a refugee was performed by Celeste, an integrated group of refugees, asylum-seekers, people with English as a second language and individuals in addiction recovery at Vita Nova. Some of the performers from Celeste were interviewed by our community researcher, Sharon Coyne, and filmed by local videographer Martin Coyne.   Some of the performers’ filmed interviews were played after the performance which was followed by a conversation with the cast.

Sharon, who also wrote and directed the play, said: “Hopefool addresses inequality and the struggles of refugees. This drama is the beginning of a discussion, a dialogue not just about the issue of refugees, but also the significance of borders and how immigration has impacted this country.”

“Hopefool reminds us that we do have a voice and can make a difference however small in promoting unity and love.”

Spoken Word celebration hosted by Ras Bashy

Many interviewees and community researchers joined us for a celebration of everyone who had contributed to the project from BCP’s diverse communities at an evening of spoken word, poetry, film and music on the themes of identity, belonging and home. 

“I had an amazing time hosting the first of many of these events.  Big thanks to Louise Boston-Mammah, Tony A Morrison, Ebi Sosseh, Mayu Rousant and everyone that performed and supported this wonderful event.” Ras Bashy

“It’s always a privilege to share stage with you, master of words and soul!” Mayu Rousant (Rouco Santos)

“Diverse artists and people coming together from around the world and local communities to talk about ‘Where We Can Call Home’. A brilliant project!  Amazing event!’ Alima Jalloh-North

“It was a very touching event.” Ebi Sosseh

Along with the challenges of belonging to a minority community, there is also joy, and this evening was also about joy.

Dr Aanka Batta, a multi-talented writer, poet, performer, and activist, was interviewed by our community researcher, Sharon Coyne, also shared a deeply personal poem on the theme of migration and home.

APNA GHAR: A HOME THAT IS OURS
I grew up in an old, humid, Delhi home
With untouchably high ceilings
And walls that parted further and further every year…
The grandparents died and the kids dispersed
Laughter no longer ricochet across those walls
Only the ghosts of all that was never heard

No longer my grandmother’s singing as she rocked me so close to her chest
For grandma, I have spent a lifetime finding the words you left unsaid
I left to forget
Young in stride and afraid of ghosts
I’ve spent everyday remembering instead
More than that house could ever hold

In that home our hearts were so big we slept with the gates open
In case the neighbours needed a drink
Or the street kids somewhere to lay their heads
For what’s a home that cannot be found. In which one cannot find themselves

I brought with me all them brown girls that didn’t say yes
And left behind all them sweets of milk, saffron, cardamom and ghee

I’m beginning to believe
That in touching that one cannot feel
In the winter that turns everything white
It is only upon losing home that one begins to go home
Perhaps for the first time

By Aanka Batta

‘Where We Can Call Home’ on Tour

As the project has developed, it has grown from being about capturing people’s lived experiences, to supporting people to tell their own story, in their own way, to the wider community to increase their knowledge, empathy and understanding of local diversity, and its impact and importance in creating new communities. Both the storytelling festival and schools workshops have done this reaching hundreds of people across BCP

We have also attended many community events over the past two years, sharing the stories we’ve been told with travelling displays, talks and short films based on the interviews, such as, ‘I came by boat,’ reaching thousands of people across BCP. 

This has included:

• World of Love festival in Kings Park, Bournemouth

• Africa Comes to Bournemouth festival in Bournemouth town centre

• Black History Month at Poole Dolphin Centre

• Spoken Word celebration at The Black Cherry Theatre in Boscombe

• BCP Council Black History Month events at Bournemouth University

• Refugee and role model workshops in Mudeford Junior School in Christchurch

• Sisterhood of Stories at Poole Lighthouse

• Hopefool at The Black Cherry Theatre in Boscombe

• Summer Arts exhibition at BEAF in Boscombe

• World Peace Day event at the Church of Latter-Day Saints in Christchurch