Culture And Memory

Stitching Light: amplifying the lives and histories of Bangladeshi women in England

Stitching Light gathers life histories of Bangladeshi women who've migrated to England and weaves their stories together into sound, light and traditional fabrics. In this accessible format, Stitching Light will tour to light festivals attracting huge audiences who'll learn about the unique historical relationship between England & Bangladesh. These stories are rarely gathered, told or heard and preserved for future generations. EEA (partners: Migration Museum, Paraa, Oitij-jo) will use our creative methodology to bring heritage to life for an estimated live audience of over 1 million, ensuring a lasting legacy by depositing these vital histories into Migration Museum’s permanent collection. We will develop Kantha https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kantha workshops with Bangladeshi women living in England. This traditional technique explores experiences & emotions of the creator, expressed through discussion, design and embroidering symbols of their experiences. By adding a new technology (light thread) this traditional handicraft is both preserved and modernised for contemporary audiences.