A Place Along the Way: Stories From the Island of Samos

What’s on offer?

A week long photo and audio exhibition featuring photographs accompanied by narrative audio clips exploring stories from the island of Samos in Greece, an island that played a key role in the EUs approach to migration.

In addition to the exhibition there will be a panel discussion focussed on questions and stories of displacement in Europe and bringing different perspectives about the island, borders and the lives that have intersected there.

What’s it about?

Samos is a beautiful Greek island in the Aegean that, at its closest point, is situated less than 2 kilometres from the coastline of Türkiye. It is described by many as a ‘magical place’, a place of nature, of calm, of beautiful blue seas and rugged mountains, of greenery and beaches, a place of spirituality that invokes a feeling of peace in people, many of whom feel compelled to stay. It is also a place of arrival and of refuge. Its location so close to Türkiye has meant that in recent years it has become known internationally for its role in the arrival of people seeking asylum in Greece and the broader European Union.

This exhibition explores stories from the island through photographs collected between 2018 and 2024 and interviews with people whose lives have become a part of the story of the island. Whether they moved to Samos for love, for recovery, to claim refuge, to offer support to people on the move, to re-engage with their family roots or simply to visit this beautiful place, we explore how their lives have intersected, evolved, and intertwined over weeks, months, years and decades.

Who’s leading the event?

This event is organised by Dr Gemma Bird (University of Liverpool), Andrew Foreman & Simone van den Akker. The panel discussion will be led by Dr Gemma Bird and will include interventions from International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs) and individuals who have spent time on the island either as residents, seeking asylum or working on solidarity and activism projects.

Open to

This event is open to all and we look forward to welcoming people of all ages to come and discuss this important topic.

Of particular interest to

This event will be of particular relevance to those with an interest in questions of migration, solidarity, community-building and activism in Europe and beyond.

Scheduling information

Exhibition will be available for public viewing at Paper Cup Coffee which is open 8.30am-3.30pm (Monday-Friday) & 9.00am-3.30pm (Saturday).

Event booking deadline

The booking page for the talk will have a deadline an hour before the event starts.