| Description: | In order to commemorate World Refugee Day, 20th June (2021), we gathered, as a group of arpillera makers, to participate in an international action proposed by Roberta Bacic. We held two sessions to discuss the topic and afterwards, two sessions of sewing together as a group. This collaboration resulted in the arpillera called “Let us Walk Together”.
As we spoke about the plight of refugees, we remembered the project we had worked on several years ago, when we held a photo exhibition called “After the Waves”. It was that collaboration which motivated us to create “Refugees, Arpilleras in Action”.
Once again, we see people who are travelling, carrying suitcases, bags, and children. Once again, we witness the exhaustion, the fear and the struggle to arrive at a safe destination. We remember all those who did not arrive, who lost their lives during the journey. In this current project, we have incorporated new stories of other refugees who continue to flee: the attempt to cross the bobbed wire wall at Ceuta, the dinghies arriving in the Canary Islands, and the volunteers on the beach, as well as the forced repatriations.
As a fundamental part of this “walking together”, we decided to sew little dolls that represent ourselves, as well as dolls that represent the refugee who is asking for our help. In this way we hope to motivate people to get involved.
And we do not forget each and every one of those who lost their lives during their journey, in the desert, in the sea………
Translation of the main caption and a description of the arpillera dolls: in Catalan Caminem junts, Spanish Caminemos juntos and English Let us walk together. |
