Sun, wind, rain, whatever - nobody moves to Glasgow for the weather.  Whether it be for education, work, or refuge, moving to a different place can bring feelings of hope and warmth. New arrivals can bring energy to their new home and contribute to the area’s evolution. These images show the beauty in everyday scenery that we often overlook but each of the photographers here has captured the city in their own way.

Migrants bring a wealth of knowledge, skills, and energy to their new home. The people we pass on the street, like those in these photographs, could be drivers, mechanics, scientists, and many other professions. Together we make Glasgow what it is today – a vibrant and diverse city. 

Wherever they may be now, everyone has roots in the past that connect them to home. Images are a timeless way of capturing memories; they cut across the language barrier.  Photographs, personal belongings, and keepsakes help link people to their past and tell the story of their journey.

These photographs show how trying food and activities from different cultures is enjoyable, and helps us experience other people’s way of life. Food and drink are a universal language of comfort, love, and nourishment because it is something that we all need. Sharing food brings people together and helps us relate to each other.

Because of cultural bias, people sometimes feel like they don’t belong, which can lead to being torn between different identities. Individuals are judged for their accents, clothes, names, or skin tones but they just want to be seen for who they are. For some people the effort to blend in means losing part of themselves.

Relationships can make a place feel like home.  Although friends and relatives may be left behind, meaningful ties can also be made in new communities. In vulnerable times, connections with people who are accepting of us are very important, especially when fleeing persecution.