Migrants’ life captured on camera

Unframing Migration is the title of a photographic exhibition organised by the Migrants Solidarity Movement and funded by the Malta Arts Fund and Heritage Malta.

This exhibition is meant to describe the migrants living in Malta (mainly, but not exclusively, coming from African countries), and also to present the commitment of the Maltese people whose life or work is carried out in close contact with them through photojournalism. The main objective of the project is to try and break down the widespread prejudices and stereotyped representations of the migrants in Malta.

By tackling the issue of migration through the understanding of the daily life of these people (including very successful stories of integration), one may contribute to the promotion of intercultural dialogue on our islands. The exhibition also attempts to confront the public with a reality they often fear, blame or simply tend to ignore.

The pictures portray the daily life of migrants and of those working with them; a reality that visitors could identify with while helping to overcome cultural barriers. The project should also promote the idea that people from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds can benefit from working together.

This ties up with the very essence of what the Migrants Solidarity Movement is all about creating cultural diversity and acceptance. Kasia Peukert, the organisation’s photographer, captured those moments that many of us are not able to see. Other participating photographers are Thomas Kelsey and Malica Gaudin Delrieu. Also, as part of this exhibition, the Organisation for Friendship in Diversity, which recently organised a two-week summer camp for children of migrants and those of Maltese families, are bringing together a selection of photographs by a group of professional photographers, taken during the two-week camp.

The theme of the exhibition on the whole has pictures of migrants from two perspectives, the latter being that of integration within our society - bringing unity in diversity.

The exhibition is currently taking place at the Heritage Malta headquarters in Merchants Street, Valletta, until September 26 (including the evening of Notte Bianca). Open Mondays to Fridays, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.