What would you pack if you had to leave home forever, maybe at a moments notice and travel to live in a foreign land?
 |  | Right: nine and ten year olds worked with artists to explore the human side of nationality, identity and community. |
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Visitors to 'Suitcases and Sanctuary' can search in suitcases for impressions of the dreams and hopes of generations of refugees in a special week-long exhibition exploring stories of immigration.
The exhibition was made with the help of primary school children, and has been shown locally before to great acclaim.
Now visitors to 19 Princelet Street in Spitalfields - the Museum of Immigration - can see this fascinating exhibition again until June 23 as part of Refugee Week 2002.
Left: Philip Black looks into the mirror suitcase. | |  |
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Princelet Street is at the heart of Spitalfields - traditionally a place of sanctuary since Roman times. The building, in urgent need of repair and the subject of a campaign for restoration funds, is a grade II* listed structure. Around £3 million is needed to fund repair and development.
 | | Right: making the project with actor Colin Salmon. |
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Children from six primary schools worked with artists, poets and actors to develop 'Suitcases and Sanctuary' led by the Spitalfields Centre. Spitalfields today is one of London's most ethnically diverse areas - a rich mix of cultures.
"The story of all these diverse groups is not only their story - it is our story. It is our shared history as Londoners, as British people," said Susie Symes, Chair of the Spitalfields Centre.
"The children's work explores both similarities and differences between how groups of immigrants have been treated over the centuries. The exhibition shows us, through fresh young eyes, a variety of cultures and the way they have enriched life in our area and in London as a whole."
Left: listening to poems by British Asian children about Somali experiences. | |  |
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Originally built in 1719 by a Huguenot Silk merchant for his family, the building was converted in Victorian times into a Synagogue. The Spitalfields Centre Charity is working to preserve the unique building as a Museum of Immigration.
"This is an exciting and imaginative endeavour that uses our heritage to illuminate many complex current issues," said Loyd Grossman, Chairman of the 24 Hour Museum and the Campaign for Museums. Loyd has enjoyed several visits to the site.
Staff estimate that it could be around four years before the Museum is ready to open permanently. A multi-ethnic board of Huguenots, Jews and Moslems is working together to get the job done.
The exhibition is free - though donations are welcome. Doors open from 12 to 7 pm, June 16 to June 23, 2002. Have a look at the superb website - click here.
