Voices Showcase 26th October 2006
The evening of the 26th October 2006 was the Norfolk Black History Month showcase for the Voices Project. The aim of the evening was to display a range of what has been going on for the project over the last couple of months. Features of the event included:
1 “Life In Norfolk” – a short documentary style film made by Gary Standley showing several members of Black & Minority Ethnic Communities talking about their day to day lives here in Norfolk. The footage was gathered from visits to Swaffham, Thetford, Great Yarmouth and Dereham and looked at the lives of Portuguese, Lithuanian, Greek and Polish working immigrants who have come to Norfolk to seek a different life. The film examined people’s expectations prior to their arrival, what they found when they got here, and how their lives, and Norfolk itself, have evolved since they’ve been part of the community. The film was introduced by British/Caribbean T.V. Personality Trisha Goddard.
2 The showing of Mexican PHD student, Teresa Gomez’s, Digital Story.
3 The opportunity to hear Audio Stories of 8 Voices participants, collected all over Norfolk. They included two Black British inmates at Norwich Prison, a Lebanese Asylum Seeker, an Australian/Caribbean teenager and a Brazilian Christian Missionary, amongst others.
4 Free African & Caribbean Food & Freshly made Juices provided by Finnie’s Juice Bar on Lower Goat Lane.
5 Talks from some Voices Project particpants and Norwich Mind CEO Peter Gianfrancesco.
6 The announcement of the Norfolk Voices Cover Design competition winners.
7 Finally, and arguably the most exciting feature, was the opportunity for all event attendees to have a “DVD Postcard” made on their behalf by BBC Voices – They simply recorded their message on camera and wrote down who they wished to send it to (perhaps a friend or relative) anywhere in the world and BBC Voices did the rest.
Many attendees were really impressed with the amount of different people of different nationalities the Voices Project has managed to reach over such a short space of time. We displayed a large world map exhibiting the countries from which all Voices Project participants have originated, the total number was 39 countries across 5 continents.
Overall the evening was a great success, everyone seemed to enjoy the stories, speeches and food and there was a friendly and excited atmosphere throughout Origins. Putting on the event has made us want to do more things like this, and we are now planning to do similar nights at other locations in Norfolk. Making the film has inspired us to collect more and more of these short insights into people’s lives, and so we are planning to go back to different areas of the county to do some more filming, so watch this space. We are also in the process of conducting further interviews and collecting more written stories from all walks of global/norfolk life. So a very big thank you to those who came, those who took part and those who are going to contribute to this celebrated project in the future.
Here are some comments from those that attended:
The event was great,everybody enjoyed.
The film was very intersting to see how people can find place in foreighn country,they can do business or arts,even can find their love.
People who told their stories were sincere,their stories touched everybody.
Food was also nice,
thank you for great job,
Audra Strasauskiene
Lithuanian Association Norwich Branch
As you already know we are hoping to have a repeat performance in Yarmouth sometime which in itself I hope demonstrates how much I enjoyed it.
The film was great and very enjoyable - I now know what you did in your lunch break when you came to Yarmouth. I also enjoyed the Mexican film about the contrast between Mexico City and Norwich.
I was very impressed with the people who spoke, especially as they included one or two familiar faces from Yarmouth but also some new ones.
The venue and food were fine and the whole event had a really good atmosphere.
Peter Cawley
Great Yarmouth Library
The programme - excellent and moving, but I would have liked more varied ethnicity. The majority were Portuguese. I missed the first event, so probably I missed many stories from other countries. The Voices Project itself - brilliant and very important step towards greater community cohesion. The activities, the people, the food, - delicious food and great venue. Lovely to meet up with so many friends. A really well-attended event whcih speaks volumes about how well received your work is in the community. Well done.
Dee Robinson
New Routes
It was a wonderful event – the concept and the delivery were ground breaking and inspirational. Thank you.
Isabel Farrelly
HR Diversity Advisor
Human Resources Department
Norfolk Constabulary
Thank you Dr. Barredo for that unforgettable night experience. The documentation of experiences of migrants from different countries had helped me to understand the exodus of people searching for a greener pasture. It is also an event to nourish cultural unity in diversity of different races. More power!
Noeme Delmigues
British Council Scholar
It was wonderful. The films were great: emotional, inspiring and thought provoking. They were excellently put together and gave people the chance to show a side of themselves that is normally personal and hidden. It was a privilege to be allowed for a few minutes to be given access into their lives. I didn’t get a chance to hear any of the audio stories, but the people who spoke were confident and it made me want to find out more about their stories, the guy from Namibia made me think about how racism can affect ones mental health.
I am fully supportive of the Voices project, its a great partnership between MIND, the participants and the BBC and after the speech by your Director I am better aware of how the project meets the aims and objectives of MIND as well as tackling the wider social exclusion/community cohesion issues that are immediately obvious.
The food was yummy, especially the apple juice
I liked the badges!
Janet Holden
Library and Information Services
Well done on another successful evening! It was very enjoyable. I particularly liked the diversity of the speakers being different ages and background. The food was excellent and the whole event was well organised!
Rowena Kerr
Diversity Manager
Norfolk Probation Area
I loved the stories and what they were about, I think that the voices
project is a great project and I love its message and how it’s going. I think the food was great (I loved the apple juice!)
Madi Gianfrancesco
Voices Project Contributor
Yes, it was an excellent event and gave an opportunity to meet others who I have not met before. And the video’s itself an encouraging one, to see how people are integrating and making a progress in their own lives and for the benefit of others. I was most impressed with the BBC’s willingness to send a recorded message to peoples relatives and an excellent idea. I hope many have availed the opportunity. Finally, what can I say about the refreshment it was just so nice. Thanks for all your hard work and your team. Much appreciate it.
J Vinookumar.
Thanks for inviting me, I had a good evening. The films were very varied about different people living in different parts of Norfolk, giving an overview of Life in Norfolk. Great to meet so many people who were featured in one way or the other.
Ms Laura Fellows
Regional Manager East of England
British Council
The video diaries and audio recordings of immigrants living in Norfolk were both moving and inspiring. I think the Voices project is a fantastic idea: it brings together people from different backgrounds and promotes mutual understanding. By utilising the BBC’s production facilities, it has created a visual archive of memories and experiences that will be an invaluable resource for generations to come. Our aim at the East Anglian Film Archive is to collect and preserve moving images that are a true reflection of life in the region during the 20th and 21st century: the eventual addition of the video diaries to our collection will help us to achieve this.
I’m afraid I couldn’t stay for the food but it smelled delicious, the atmosphere of the event was very welcoming and friendly.
Amelia Hamer
East Anglian Film Archive
I want to start by saying thank you for the eveining. It was most enjoyable and I am glad I did not miss it.
The Program:
I thought the film design and layout was very professional. It created anticipation and I could tell that a great deal of thought and preparation went into the making of the film.
The audio stories were great, funny, sad, heart warming just simply human!
The Voices Project:
I have always and will always be a great supporter of the Voices Project. It is a very exciting and honorable piece of work. It allows people to be heard, something that is intrinsically a great need in us as people. The Voices Project gives people a voice that is healing and restorative. For those of us who are now healed, it gives us time to reflect on where we come from and how far we have come. It also reminds us that we are part of a community, a greater whole. We are reminded that there are also others experiencing “hardships” or challenges or even stories of overcoming and victory!
The Event:
The Event itself gives one an opportunity to catch up with others, our collegues that we never get to see due to hectic work schedules. It is refreshing to meet new people too. The food is always exceptional and I am already looking forward to the next one.
Once again thank you for inviting me.
Let me finish by saying I salute you, Gary and those who make the Voices Project such a resounding success. I am truly blessed to be associated with colleagues of your calibre and committment.
Amalia Hendricks
Rainbow Nations
Thank you for a lovely evening. I thought the whole event was fantastic, and I loved the food!! All the stories captured on film were very interesting, entertaining and touching. I believe the Voices project with its innovative approach has made a difference in people’s lives. Congratulation to everyone involved!!
Elisa Pinto
Keystone Trust
A BIG THANK YOU for inviting me for that event.
It was a nice event, I feel that it touched many peoples hearts as they were able to tell their stories….to someone who was willing to listen to…wheather it’s a sad or happy story….and I personally had a chance of meeting people with different cultures..which I like most….food was lovely too…finally as a whole the event was organised really well.
Rushitha Karunaweera
Voices Project Contributor
A very good and interesting event which demonstrated the benefits and values od diversity and community cohesion .
John Brierley
Learning and Skills Council
It was excellent! The videos and audio stories were lovely and a little window into people’s lives; the food was absolutely delicious and the atmosphere of the whole event was very warm, welcoming and happy!
Alexia Zinonos
English Language Support Service
I enjoyed this project and event, as through the evening I met new people and get to share how they felt when they first arrived in Norwich and to understand how they lives have changed since then, as well as mine. It was also interesting to see and hear the stories from other people who are not students at UEA, and to understand their experiences as well. I am also thankful for the opportunity that this project gave me to learn different skills.
Teresa Gomez
UEA PHD Student
I really enjoyed the film containing all the different interviews as there was quite a contrast between them. It was great seeing and talking to some of the people who were in the film. The lovely drinks and amazing food added to the ambience of the evening.
Catty Stoll
UEA Drama Student