ATHENS - PARIS - LONDON
Image by Caroline Gervay
Athens-Paris-London (A-P-L) is a transnational research project, designed to exchange knowledge, and apply and share new methodologies for engaging with refugee communities through creative action.
This is a collaborative project between Phakama, Queen Mary University of London, the Melissa Network and Open Schools Programme in Athens and the University of London in Paris.
During our research we have been on exchange trips to Athens and Paris, bringing with us members of the youth board, board and Associate Artists to meet with partners and refugees.
The research trips have been opportunities to share Phakama's methodologies and to learn from our partners and refugees about the best ways in which we as an organisation can be of use in the most pressing global challenge of the contemporary moment.
Paris 2022 Trip
In March, Creative Director Sarah and Creative Producer Anna took Young Creatives Bhavini Sheth and Aliya Abdalla to Paris as part of our ongoing partnership between Project Phakama and ULIP (University of London in Paris). We had a jam-packed schedule, which included Bhav and Aliya taking part in a recording at local radio station Radio Raptz where they shared stories about growing up and living in London with their Parisian counterparts. The highlight was attending a creative community breakfast for migrant and refugee groups, organised by a collective of organisations. It had dance and movement led by Permanence Chorégraphique, music, spoken word, food, laughter, conversation, and lots of fun! Inspired by this experience, we are planning to bring a similar event to life here in London in support of the Ukrainian refugee community and other displaced groups, as part of the Being Human Festival.
