peaceful coexistence in the diaspora

this oral history collection includes over 50 interviews with established residents and Syrian migrants in six different countries and was produced to support an exploration of the factors that impact integration and peaceful coexistence.

what impact do language fluency and academic qualifications have on a Syrians ability to feel welcome and create a home in a new country, or on a local’s ability to welcome them?

what role do religion and politics play?

how have civil society organisations and work programmes influenced the experiences of Syrians and the attitudes of locals?

over fifty interviews were conducted in Lebanon, Cyprus, Sweden, Germany, France and the UK, in either Arabic, English or French. the collection of stories – both in audio and written forms – have been published in a collection named Peaceful Coexistence in the Diaspora in the Tarikhi digital story archive.

production of the oral history collection was celebrated at a series of seven story sharing events in 2019 in partnership with diverse people and places in five countries: Beirut, Larnaca, Berlin, Marseille and London. the gatherings aimed at promoting and facilitating understanding among and between locals and migrants in Europe.

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Tarikhi story archive

Tarikhi (Arabic for ‘my history’) is an Arab/ic oral history archive. it houses 500 interviews conducted, recorded, and documented by sharq.org between 2012 and 2022, at a time when previously censored and silenced voices found strength through collective action and forged microphones from new opportunities to be heard. (2012-ongoing)

religious identity, activism and conversion

an oral history training programme delivered in Arabic to civil society actors who where then mentored in the production of story collections on topics related to religious identity. (2021-22)

conflict, migration and identity

a collection of 60 interviews with Syrians who remained in Syria during the years of turmoil and intense government oppression following the 2011 revolution and those who migrated to Europe asked to reflect on the impact of conflict and migration on identity and to explore the impact of their changing identity on belonging, integration, community and engagement. (2021)