We were delighted to present a celebration of our Crafting Heritage project on Wednesday 18th June, at the stunning 19th-century Rochdale Town Hall, during Refugee Week.
Crafting Heritage is a two-year exploration of the rich heritage crafts flourishing within Rochdale's vibrant communities with experience of forced migration.
You can watch a film about the project here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVWYGhq4oLA
The day's highlights included an exhibition of work by the Crafting Heritage trainees – Valeria, Gloria, Vanina, Samiyah, and Deepa – which featured Ukrainian Petrykivka painting, Congolese Dolls, Argentinian Loom Weaving, Pakistani Block Printing, and Indian Diyyah tea lights.
The exhibition also featured work from the children of Rochdale's Ashfield Valley Primary School, Harwood Park Primary School, Newhey Primary School and St Thomas Church of England Primary School in Newhey, and St Mary's RC Primary School in Middleton, as well as work from children's groups at Maverick Lab and Deeplish Community Centre.
Rochdale's Mayor, Councillor Janet Emsley, joined us and presented the trainees with their completion certificates.
Daniel Carpenter, the Executive Director of Heritage Crafts, delivered a powerful speech highlighting the project's importance:
Britain has always been a nation shaped by the movement of people. From ancient migrations to waves of settlers, traders and refugees throughout history, our island's story is one of constant flux and enrichment.
When individuals and families are forced to leave their homes due to conflict, persecution, or environmental crises, much can be taken from them – their possessions, their sense of security, and their sense of belonging. But what can never be stripped away are their skills, craft knowledge and the intricate traditions passed down through generations. These are not merely practical abilities; they are repositories of identity, memory, and hope. They are portable treasures, carried in the hands and minds of those seeking a new beginning.
To every single person who has poured their passion and dedication into Crafting Heritage, my heartfelt congratulations. You have not only nurtured individual talents but have also illuminated a path forward for a more inclusive, vibrant, and truly representative national heritage.
The final element of the Crafting Heritage project is the sharing of the KS2 Art resource produced with the primary schools in Rochdale.
We'll be unveiling the learning resource soon, so stay tuned!
Thanks to Create Rochdale, who kindly sponsored the cost of the room for the celebration event.
Photographer Harry Wheeler
(left to right)
Mahboobeh Rajabi (mentor), Ruth Flanagan (project Lead) and trainees: Valeria Leonova, Samiyah Fiaz, Deepa Parmar, Vanina Yanez and Gloria Saya.