Lest We Forget (2016)

This project aimed to increase knowledge and understanding of the experiences of Belgian refugees in Scotland during the First World War, and look at the experience of refugees and asylum seekers settled in Scotland today.

The project team, which included project artist Rachel Mimiec and staff at Scottish Refugee Council, worked with a group of refugees and local Scots to document the heritage of the arrival, reception and experiences of the thousands of Belgian refugees resettled in Scotland during 1914 – 1918. As well as uncovering the past, the volunteers recorded their own experiences of integration and finding acceptance as ‘new Scots’.

Once the research was complete, the volunteers shared what they had found through public events, the art exhibition Lest We Forget’ World War 1 – Refugees Then & Now and a documentary directed by Lou McLoughlan, which premiered at the Refugee Festival Scotland in June 2016.

The project left a legacy of new research and an archive of materials, a film about the project, photographs, objects and artwork that are available for loan or exhibition.

Commissioned by Scottish Refugee Council for Refugee Festival Scotland 2016

Supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund

Exhibition presented at the Mitchell Library (Glasgow)