A beautiful new, full-colour illustrated book showcasing artwork, embroidery and stories by people in Southampton about Southampton is being launched today. Because Every Journey is a Story: Art and Writing from the Port of Southampton, will launch on Zoom this evening (December 10, 2020) from 6.30 – 7.30pm.
Funded by Arts Council England, and supported by the Mayflower 400 programme, the project Mayflower FOLK: Southampton STORIES took place in 2019, run by writers Nazneen Ahmed and Susmita Bhattacharya. They worked with Banister School, Hounsdown School, Black Heritage Association and Women’s Integration Group, and Southampton City Libraries to explore Southampton’s contemporary and historical connections to the rest of the world as a city of journeys. As Susmita and Nazneen are of Indian and Bangladeshi origin, they used folk forms from South Asia, including Warli mural painting and naksi kantha embroidery, to enable participants to tell Southampton’s stories in new, imaginative ways.
At the launch even, contributors will be reading their pieces in the anthology and there will be an opportunity for attendees to ask Susmita and Nazneen questions about the project.
Nazneen Ahmed, co-project manager, said: “Running this project just before the beginning of the pandemic gave us an incredible and unique insight into the rich diversity of Southampton’s stories as a journey city. We had stories that ranged the globe: from a memorable trip to St Mary’s Stadium to flights to Australia and back! The book is a beautiful testament to Southampton’s journey stories, past and present, and we’re looking forward to celebrating its launch.”
Free tickets for the event can be booked here.
Books, cards and postcards can be ordered here.