This features community arts projects that have created empathy, compassion and understanding across geographical divides. Many thanks to everyone who contributed their experiences – we hope that people will find insights and inspiration within these projects.

Unearthed

The Hanley Bus Station project, involving people undertaking to tell the story of Lidice and having a silver disc with their initials and day of birth attached to a sculpture at Hanley Bus Station. Featuring Public Artists Nicola Winstanley and Sarah Nadin.

http://vimeo.com/channels/culturalvalue/104672902

Lidice Children’s Memorial

Sylvia Klanova tells the remarkable story of her Mother, Marie Uchytilova, who designed the statue of the Children of Lidice. The statue is a highly poignant focus of the memorial site in Lidice, and attracts visitors from all around the world.

http://vimeo.com/channels/culturalvalue/104672900

Moving Forward

The Cultural Sisters talk about ‘Moving Forward’: an arts and crafts project that took place in two locations in Stoke-on-Trent, and involved participants from all around the world. They talk about the ways in which the project connected people, and encouraged empathy, compassion and understanding.

http://vimeo.com/channels/culturalvalue/104672901

Reading the Book of Freedom

The team at B Arts tell the story of ‘Reading the Book of Freedom’: a piece of theatre involving asylum seekers and refugees, that toured primary schools in Staffordshire to encourage empathy and understanding between cultures.

http://vimeo.com/channels/culturalvalue/104672903