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50

of our immigrant and refugee friends in Minnesota have been invited to our studio with an object they carried along in the trips from their home countries to US. Here are our stories.  

Shaymaa Khalil

Shaymaa Khalil is an Iraqi woman who worked for the British Council in Baghdad. Despite being the first member of her family to migrate to a new country, Shaymaa holds a deep connection with Iraq: every day she reads from a praying book her brother gave her. Shaymaa is actively involved in sharing the rich culture of Iraq through her position as an Operation Director with IARP.

Essma Imady

Essma Imady came from Syria carrying traditionally crafted handmade shoes she purchased in her home country. During her first year in MN, the shoes functioned as an ice-breaker to engage people in conversations about her home country and culture. Even if the shoes are now run down, she still holds onto them as a way to celebrate her roots.

Teyant Germa

Mariam Abdulkareem

Maryam was born in Baghdad. Her family migrated first to Syria to escape the war and then to Minnesota when she was a child. Before leaving her grandmother gave her a black scarf enfuse for her perfume in an attempt to keep her close and alive in her memory.

Jamal Ali

 Srivalli Kundurthi (Valli Kundurthi)

 Piotr Szyhalski

Came from Poland

Lucas Messerer

Came from Australia

Hodo Ali

Aki Shibata

Came from Japan

Isabel Sin

Have a story to share?