CREATIVE HERITAGE

This research seeks to develop creative heritage strategies that can connect migrant diaspora communities in Australia with heritage institutions. The experience of settling and living as a migrant in Queensland – or anywhere in Australia – needs further documentation. What better way to describe life as a migrant than through music, dance, poetry, and visual arts – the ultimate communicators of human experience.

With widespread global challenges increasing migration and cultural flows, the connection to culture for diaspora communities is a significant aspect tied to everyday wellbeing. The role of heritage institutions – such as libraries, museums, galleries, and archives – could be enhanced through the collection and curation of migrant stories that are brought to life through community-led creative practice.

This project engages deeply with migrants to Queensland – in particular, those with cultural heritage backgrounds from Ukraine, Sri Lanka, and Iran. Using a creative heritage approach, artists from each community will draw on heritage knowledge and gaps to create new creative works that tell migrant community stories using music, dance, and poetry.

This research is supported by the Australian Research Council and Griffith University.

On 23 November 2025, we held the Cultivating Cultures | Expanding Memory event at the Queensland Conservatorium’s Ian Hanger Recital Hall. Showcasing new artistic work arising from this project, the event featured remarkable contemporary artists expressing what it means to be a migrant in Queensland.

Click here to see an image gallery of the event.

Performances included:

‘My Ukraine’ – Catherine Likhuta (composer, piano), Maria Brereton (flute), Iryna Pyrog (voice), Yuliya Bodai (voice) 

‘A bird after a name’ / ‘Let’s make a bridge’ / ‘From Anzali to Cleveland’ – Sage Masuleh (poet) and Cieavash Arean (oud, tar) 

‘Kotahalu Mangalya’ –  Kuweni Dias Mendis, Chinthi Rajapakse, Nadeeka Rathnayake 

‘I Can Thrive’ – Shirin Majd (voice), Reza (setar), Peta Wilson (piano) 

‘Home Song’ – Yuliya Bodai (voice), Iryna Pyrog (voice) 

‘Pish Ballah (Up, Forward, Left, Right, Down)’ / ‘Border Dash’ – Zemzemeh