Uprooted Syrian Heritage Resettled in the UK: Making a New Home

RESEARCH STATEMENT

Since the outbreak of the Syrian Civil War in 2011, Syria has endured significant turmoil. By 2016, over six million individuals were internally displaced, and around five million sought asylum or found refuge in Syrian refugee camps across the globe. This situation is one of the most significant refugee crises in history. Notably, about 22,000 Syrians have resettled in the United Kingdom. While many were unable to bring their physical belongings, they carried with them their Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), forming a core part of their identity.

The prevalent narrative tends to portray Syrians predominantly as displaced people from a devastated homeland. However, it's essential to understand that this community has a history rich in traditions, societal bonds, and cultural connections. Raising awareness of their enduring traditions and practices becomes vitally important. ICH has been a cornerstone of their resilience and is now subtly influencing the United Kingdom's socio-cultural landscape, an area yet to be extensively explored.

Building on our preliminary studies, our current research delves into various ICH elements from Syria. These elements encompass the five primary domains identified by UNESCO, including oral traditions, social practices, festive events, nature-related knowledge, and craftsmanship. Liverpool, with its diverse culture and a prominent Syrian-British cultural centre, served as our main case study.

Our objectives include:

1. Elevating awareness of the Syrian heritage among the diaspora, focusing on both tangible and intangible elements Syrians have brought, such as photographs and embroidery.

2. Examining how Syrians have restructured their United Kingdom homes to reflect and retain their cultural heritage.

   
   

We sought answers to questions like:

• How have Syrians recreated their domestic spaces in the United Kingdom?

• What defines a "Syrian home" in exile?

• Which traditional items and practices have the most sentimental and emotional importance?

• What customs assist Syrians in navigating the challenges of establishing new homes?

  
  

Our methodology was rooted in qualitative research. We conducted in-depth interviews, took photographs, and recorded social and cultural events through short films, all within the natural settings of our respondents. By centring our inquiries in their homes and their regular social gathering spots, we aimed to achieve deeper and more authentic insights.

To complement this, we organised two heritage-driven educational workshops for school-aged children: one focused on Arabic calligraphy and the other on Arabesque geometric design. These workshops took place at the National Museum of Liverpool. Simultaneously, we arranged two tours for the children and their guardians to introduce them to Liverpool's rich history and its intangible heritage, thereby offering a more comprehensive understanding of their new home.

Our research contributions span several areas:

• Highlighting Syrian Culture: Contrary to the typical narrative of displacement, our study emphasizes the rich cultural and social fabric of the Syrian community.

• Enhancing Intercultural Understanding: Our research offers valuable insights for the public and policymakers by comparing Syrian and British domestic traditions and rituals.

• Methodological Innovation: Our approach can serve as a blueprint for engaging with and understanding other migrant communities.

• Education and Outreach: The workshops provide hands-on experiences, bridging the gap between academic findings and real-world impacts.

  
  

The significance of our research is multi-fold:

• Societal Impact: Our findings can guide community initiatives, government policies, and support structures for migrant integration.

• Cultural Preservation: Our work acts as a reservoir for Syrian cultural practices and artefacts.

• Building Bridges: By highlighting Syrian traditions, we hope to reduce misconceptions and foster mutual respect.

• Academic Contribution: This study fills a gap in migration research, laying a foundation for future inquiries into the cultural preservation of Middle Eastern communities in the West.

PEER REVIEW 1

The work presented by Dr. Ataa Alsalloum and Monika Koeck is of interest in terms of cultural studies and filmmaking practices in academia. Uprooted Syrian Heritage Resettled in the UK: Making a New Home didactically presents testimonies of Syrian people in the diaspora, showcasing their adaptation practices within newly displaced multicultural communities. Anchored in an interview with Dr. Alsalloum, the film illustrates practices of placemaking in which the new domestic spaces are transformed based on memories of a nostalgic past.

In this expository documentary, the different subjects tell how fundamental forms of resistance in the new scenario Syrian migrants face in the UK are anchored in popular cultural practices. Moreover, the film exposes the research practices by connecting the theoretical concepts mentioned with the workshops developed in the academic setting. The scene that registers the children drawing different patterns shows how cultural heritage becomes a malleable form of education, inspiring hope for building a new, better space. It is to say that not only the documentary but also the multiple initiatives presented in the work contribute to societal education about the Middle East in Western communities. As mentioned in the research statement, the multiple Syrian refugee camps across the globe with millions of displaced families “is one of the most significant refugee crises in history.” The affective rituals of sharing food, organizing household items according to how they contribute to our narratives of self, and playing music to express feeling, all these different human forms of expression should always be praised as they are fundamental connectors.

As the conflicts of war violently escalate in the Middle East, amplifying the political polarization of affects, initiatives that make not only the Syrian diaspora more comfortable but a whole sense of better belonging to new spaces are of extreme importance. Inspired by the magic power humans developed to translate space into words, Arabic writing is an allegory of how multiple words can coexist to fix the state of hatefulness towards the Arabic world that Western communities have created.

PEER REVIEW 2

Which aspects of the submission are of interest/relevance and why?

The creative work explores aspects of intangible culture and home-making practices of the Syrian refugee diaspora in Liverpool (UK) through qualitative methods, such as interviewing. The author has successfully focused on an important topic, making the research a valuable endeavor. The documentary approach taken is ethnographic in nature, even though specific mention of ethnography or documentary filmmaking as investigative tools is not made in the research statement.

Does the submission live up to its potential?

The research statement considers social science and design research questions to explore the living situations of the Syrian diaspora in the United Kingdom. The goal is to develop a support tool to improve their living conditions, however the role of creative practice and filmmaking methods could be further emphasised.

One question to consider is how a documentary about the Syrian diaspora in the United Kingdom can positively impact their lives. Dr. Ataa Alsalloum, an architect and lecturer in Architecture and Urban Heritage at the Liverpool School of Architecture, may not have a background in film but aims to contribute to education and outreach through this research. It would be beneficial to explore how the film was used to raise awareness or influence attitudes towards refugees and migrants resettling in the United Kingdom. This could show the potential for the film to bring about positive cultural, social and economic changes regarding the Syrian diaspora.

How does the submission expose practice as research?

The documentary Uprooted Syrian Heritage Resettled in the UK: Making a New Home delves into the rituals, habits, and ways of life for Syrian people living in the United Kingdom, making a valuable contribution to the field of migration studies. The film examines the challenges and changes in immigrant communities, shedding light on the reasons for resettling in the United Kingdom after fleeing conflict. However, there is room for further exploration of the creative practice involved in documentary filmmaking, which is the focus of the Sightlines publication.

It is worth noting that the film displays impressive technical skill, featuring beautiful cinematography and well-executed sound recording, music, and sound mixing. The narration is thoughtfully created, enhancing the viewing experience, but it does tend to be instructional at times. The documentary falls into the category of expositional style, as described by Bill Nichols (1991), where the film presents an argument through a voice of authority rather than engaging in a dialogue with the subjects.

One suggestion for improvement could be for the author, Alsalloum, to interact more with the individuals being interviewed on camera, adding her own embodied perspective as a Syrian living in the United Kingdom. This approach could bring a more personal and engaging element to the documentary, fostering connections between the Syrian diaspora and British society. A more naturalistic presentation from Alsalloum, along with shots of her interacting with the participants, could enhance the overall impact of the film.

PEER REVIEW 3

Uprooted Syrian Heritage Resettled in the UK: Making a New Home offers a valuable  contribution to areas of refugee studies by interrogating the value of Intangible Cultural  Heritage (ICH), especially through oral traditions and craftsmanship, and doing so through participatory practices. However, using documentary as a device for knowledge translation requires deeper exploration.

The created piece should better demonstrate and recognise the unique aspects of documentary as a creative text and an innovative research practice with a varied and complex methodological contribution, notably regarding participatory methods. Its ability to capture real-life narratives and experiences visually compellingly has the potential to be a visual piece beyond a knowledge translation artefact.

The researchers are encouraged to engage with documentary histories and methods and explore the genre's long tradition and creatively rich approach in the refugee space to move away from didactic approaches. As starting points, they could explore some remarkable examples that offer artistic value and novel methodologies, such as Simple As Water (2021) by Megan Mylan or a more experimental approach like Those Who Feel the Fire Burning (2014) by Morgan Knibbe.

This exploration may offer possibilities to reach wider audiences outside of academic circles, which can facilitate achieving the research's intended contributions in terms of Social Impact, Cultural Preservation, and Building Bridges. The researchers should be commended for exploring this vital study area, particularly as forced migration issues become increasingly prevalent.

Given the insightful questions articulated in this proposal, the researchers should  consider expanding their research to include areas of identity and belonging. This could provide a deeper understanding of the refugee experience and enrich the study's overall findings. Expanding their research scope will enable them to demonstrate how practice and theory can mutually inform each other, highlighting the meaningful contributions to knowledge.

RESPONSE TO PEER REVIEWS

Thank you very much to all the reviewers for dedicating their time to watch the film and review the research statement. We truly appreciate their valuable comments and insights. These have highlighted the strengths of our work and provided us with valuable guidance for future improvements, helping us restructure the research statement to be more academically robust and well-constructed.

Reviewer 2 encouraged us to engage with documentary histories and methods and explore the genre's long tradition and creatively rich approach in the refugee space to move away from didactic approaches. Reviewer 3 also suggested interacting more with the individuals being interviewed on camera, adding my own embodied perspective as a Syrian living in the United Kingdom.

We would like to note that our film was based on research funding to address specific research questions; therefore, we had to follow a particular pathway in our methodology. We appreciate these suggestions and will consider them in our future research-based documentary films.

The two films suggested by Reviewer 2 are of great interest to us and have clearly been recognized internationally with numerous awards and nominations. Thank you for directing us to these works. They have inspired us to develop our approach for our next film, and we recognize their ability to speak to a wider audience with high-quality storytelling.

We chose to record our academic work in film as we felt it was important to reach a broader audience beyond academia and to develop a new way of presenting academic research. As Reviewer 3 kindly noted, the documentary could be considered within the expositional style category, as described by Bill Nichols (1991), as our film presents an argument through a narrative voice with limited engagement in dialogue with the participants. While the documentary has already reached its final stages of post-production and due to limited time and resources, we are unable to amend it; we have taken all guidance into account for our future projects.

Reviewer 2 suggested expanding our research to include areas of identity and belonging. We appreciate that and have added a section titled “Reflection on Literature of Identity and Belonging” in the revised research statement.

Reviewer 3 suggested further exploration of the creative practice involved in documentary filmmaking, which is the focus of the Sightlines publication. Please see the added section in the research statement starting with “The creative practice behind the production of this film ...”.

Reviewer 3 also suggested emphasizing the role of creative practice and filmmaking methods. We have added a section highlighting the event celebration in which our film was disseminated to the public at the Museum of Liverpool, where we brought our documentary to life by providing authentic Syrian cookies, live music and songs by a Syrian band, and a traditional dance performed by Syrian girls.

REVISED RESEARCH STATEMENT

Since the outbreak of the Syrian Civil War in 2011, Syria has endured significant turmoil. By 2016, over six million individuals were internally displaced, and around five million sought asylum or found refuge in Syrian refugee camps across the globe. This situation is one of the most significant refugee crises in history. Notably, about 22,000 Syrians have resettled in the United Kingdom. While many were unable to bring their physical belongings, they carried with them their Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), forming a core part of their identity.

The prevalent narrative tends to portray Syrians predominantly as displaced people from a devastated homeland. However, it's essential to understand that this community has a history rich in traditions, societal bonds, and cultural connections. Raising awareness of their enduring traditions and practices becomes vitally important. ICH has been a cornerstone of their resilience and is now subtly influencing the United Kingdom's socio-cultural landscape, an area yet to be extensively explored.

Building on our preliminary studies, our current research investigates various ICH elements from Syria. These elements encompass the five primary domains identified by UNESCO, including oral traditions, social practices, festive events, nature-related knowledge, and craftsmanship. Liverpool, with its diverse culture and a prominent Syrian-British cultural centre, served as our main case study.

Our objectives include:

• Elevating awareness of the Syrian heritage among the diaspora, focusing on both tangible and intangible elements Syrians have brought, such as photographs and embroidery.

• Examining how Syrians have restructured their United Kingdom homes to reflect and retain their cultural heritage.

We sought answers to the following questions:

• How have Syrians recreated their domestic spaces in the UK?

• What defines a "Syrian home" in exile?

• Which traditional items and practices have the most sentimental and emotional importance?

• What customs assist Syrians in navigating the challenges of establishing new homes?

Our methodology was rooted in qualitative research. We conducted in-depth interviews, took photographs, and recorded social and cultural events through short films, all within the natural settings of our respondents. By centring our inquiries in their homes and their regular social gathering spots, we aimed to achieve deeper and more authentic insights.

To complement this, we organised two heritage-driven educational workshops for school-aged children: one focused on Arabic calligraphy and the other on Arabesque geometric design. These workshops took place at the National Museum of Liverpool. Simultaneously, we arranged two tours for the children and their guardians to introduce them to Liverpool's rich history and its intangible heritage, thereby offering a more comprehensive understanding of their new home.

The creative practice behind the production of this film involved a comprehensive and collaborative approach to capturing the rich ICH of Syrian refugees in Liverpool.

The first stage was screenwriting. We co-developed the dialogue with participants and designed the questions for interviews and activities for children's workshops with them. The screenplay was based on their authentic settings, including their homes, where we were welcomed with immense hospitality. The scenes and settings were also based on their actual daily lives. The overall direction of the film was guided by the research questions and aimed to raise awareness about their rituals and ways of making a home in the diaspora.

The cinematography was executed professionally, with careful attention to camera angles, lighting, and shot composition to achieve an authentic setting. Participants allowed us to install equipment in their houses prior to interviews, and we obtained full consent from them. We also received full consent to film during celebrations. To ensure consistency and authenticity in the visual aspects, we created the narrative around the captured scenes, guided by the research objectives.

The post-production process involved:

• Assembling the raw footage into a coherent narrative.

• Deciding on the pacing, transitions, and sequence of scenes, with translation and transcription to reflect the true story.

• Integrating sound effects, ambient sounds, and dialogue.

• Selecting music to enhance the emotional tone.

We developed strategies to promote the film. Upon completion, we disseminated the film alongside authentic performances by schoolgirls and a Syrian band who had participated in the film. We invited the public, academic circles, and extended an open invitation for everyone to join our celebration. The venue was chosen at the National Museums Liverpool (NML) to facilitate wider public engagement. The girls were trained by Arabic teachers, and the band volunteered with us to perform. We offered Syrian cookies made authentically by Syrian women and Syrian coffee to the event attendees. The head of the Department of Architecture attended, as well as the director of the Syrian British Cultural Centre in Liverpool. We handed certificates of participation to the participants. We also shared the film with participants and are now submitting it for publication, constantly nominating it for awards.

Please see the event highlights here: Event July 2022.

The role of creative practice methods in our documentary film project was pivotal in capturing and representing the ICH and home-making practices of the Syrian refugee diaspora in Liverpool. The dissemination of the documentary through public events and community group screenings significantly amplified the voices of the Syrian refugees. It created spaces for dialogue, intercultural exchange, and community building, positively impacting both the refugees and the local community.

Submitting the documentary for academic filmmaking publications underscores its educational and cultural value, aiming to reach a broader audience and contribute to scholarly discussions on refugee integration and cultural preservation. The project has positively impacted the lives of the Syrian refugees by validating their experiences, preserving their heritage, and promoting a sense of belonging within the United Kingdom.

Our research contributions span several areas:

• Highlighting Syrian Culture: Contrary to the typical narrative of displacement, our study emphasises the rich cultural and social fabric of the Syrian community.

• Enhancing Intercultural Understanding: Our research offers valuable insights for the public and policymakers by comparing Syrian and British domestic traditions and rituals.

• Methodological Innovation: Our approach can serve as a blueprint for engaging with and understanding other migrant communities.

• Education and Outreach: The workshops provide hands-on experiences, bridging the gap between academic findings and real-world impacts.

The significance of our research is multi-fold:

• Societal Impact: Our findings can guide community initiatives, government policies, and support structures for migrant integration.

• Cultural Preservation: Our work acts as a reservoir for Syrian cultural practices and artefacts.

• Building Bridges: By highlighting Syrian traditions, we hope to reduce misconceptions and foster mutual respect.

• Academic Contribution: This study fills a gap in migration research, laying a foundation for future inquiries into the cultural preservation of Middle Eastern communities in the West.

Reflection on Literature of Identity and Belonging

Our project focuses on both tangible and intangible cultural elements that Syrians have brought with them, such as photographs and embroidery. This emphasis on cultural artefacts aligns with Liisa Malkki's work in "Purity and Exile" (1995), which explores how displaced communities reconstruct their identities and preserve their cultural memory through tangible heritage. Our research also investigates how Syrians have adapted their living spaces in the United Kingdom to maintain a sense of cultural continuity. This exploration is informed by Zlatko Skrbiš’s "Long-Distance Nationalism" (1999), which discusses how diasporic communities retain their identities and sense of belonging despite physical dislocation.

Our approach is further grounded in the theoretical perspectives offered by Khalid Koser and Susan Martin’s "The Migration-Displacement Nexus" (2011) which provides a nuanced understanding of the complex identities formed through migration and displacement. Michel Agier’s "Managing the Undesirables" offers a critical lens on the lived experiences of refugees in host countries, highlighting the negotiation of identity and belonging in new environments. Additionally, Roger Zetter's analysis in "More Labels, Fewer Refugees" (2011) underscores the impact of external perceptions and labels on refugees' self-identification and community integration.

Our methodological innovations, including hands-on workshops and comparative studies of Syrian and British domestic traditions, serve as a blueprint for engaging with other migrant communities. This holistic approach bridges the gap between academic findings and real-world impacts, offering valuable contributions to both scholarly discourse and practical policy applications. Further research will carry deeper investigations into the concepts of identity and belonging among Syrians and other migrant groups in the United Kingdom, aiming to uncover nuanced understandings of their experiences and inform more effective integration strategies.

REFERENCES

Agier, Michel. 2011. Managing the Undesirables: Refugee Camps and Humanitarian Government. Cambridge: Polity Press.

Betts, Alexander, and Paul Collier. 2017. Refuge: Transforming a Broken Refugee System. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Glick Schiller, Nina, and Ayşe Çağlar. 2009. "Towards a Comparative Theory of Locality in Migration Studies: Migrant Incorporation and City Scale." Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies 35, no. 2: 177-202.

Kurin, Richard. 2004. "Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage in the 2003 UNESCO Convention: A Critical Appraisal." Museum International 56, no. 1-2: 66-77.

Koser, Khalid, and Susan Martin, eds. 2011. The Migration-Displacement Nexus: Patterns, Processes, and Policies. New York: Berghahn Books.

Levitt, Peggy. 2009. "Roots and Routes: Understanding the Lives of the Second Generation Transnationally." Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies 35, no. 7: 1225-1242.

Malkki, Liisa H. 1995. Purity and Exile: Violence, Memory, and National Cosmology among Hutu Refugees in Tanzania. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Nichols, Bill. 1991. Representing Reality: Issues and Concepts in Documentary. Indiana University Press.

Skrbiš, Zlatko. 1999. Long-Distance Nationalism: Diasporas, Homelands, and Identities. Aldershot: Ashgate.

UNESCO. 2013. "Intangible Cultural Heritage." UNESCO.

UNHCR. 2016. "Syria Regional Refugee Response." UNHCR.

Zetter, Roger. 2007. "More Labels, Fewer Refugees: Remaking the Refugee Label in an Era of Globalization." Journal of Refugee Studies 20, no. 2: 172-192.

Betts, Alexander, and Paul Collier. 2017. Refuge: Transforming a Broken Refugee System. Oxford: Oxford University Press.