When people experience trauma, such as forced displacement, their experiences of violence are often not easily captured in verbal linear narratives. Yet, significant numbers of researchers work with victims of such violence, and try to make sense of their experiences. The question of how to engage in ways that are relevant for these people, is an important one. It triggered methodological innovation by those seeking to engage on more equal terms.

The research project ‘On migrating heritage’ is part of this innovative strand of research. It examines how Syrian women in the refugee camp of Shatila (Lebanon) use embroidery as a narrative practice. The project used narrative embroidery as a shared language to study experiences of violence & resilience.

This resulted in a rich visual and artistic archive of embroidered stories, which we now seek to share with various kinds of audiences through a phased dissemination strategy, incl. exhibitions, workhops, a website, and an artistic publication