The Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council (ELREC) has received £74,300.00 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for the Routes to Roots: Adopting Scotland as a Homeland project, it was announced yesterday. The two year project aims to mainstream the heritage of minority ethnic communities and explore the intertwining histories of Scottish and diverse communities in Edinburgh and the Lothians.
The project will showcase how minority communities have enriched Scottish heritage by conducting video interviews with active members from ethnic minority backgrounds. These will be distributed online and the stories compiled into a book which will be exhibited in the final stages of the project. The project will also produce a weekly podcast on various heritage topics and conduct site visits to local religious centres, galleries and sites of importance. Volunteers drive the project and will receive training on reminiscence, interview and recording skills.
While some shared heritage is more prominent, such as the story of Wojtek the bear and the Great Polish Map of Scotland, much of the rich heritage of minority communities is not well known to the general public. It is locked away in individual stories, memories and knowledge as well as in unexplored aspects of Scottish history. This project aims to bring these stories out into the public realm and, in doing so, improve integration, celebrate shared heritage and, showcase immigration in a positive light.
Commenting on the award, Foysol Choudhury MBE, Chair of ELREC, said: “We are delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund has given its support to this project. The Routes to Roots project will play an important role in highlighting and preserving the vibrant heritage of minority communities in the Edinburgh and Lothians. The project will also encourage integration through its visits to key heritage and religious sites in the area.
“We have hired a Project Coordinator, Neil Ogilvy, who I believe will do an excellent job in running the project. I would also like to recognise our staff member, Jean-Matthieu Gaunand, who was instrumental in writing the funding proposal. We are looking forward to working with the HLF and various contributors to the project such as Edinburgh City Libraries, the Living Memory Association, Scotland’s Jute Museum and the National Galleries of Scotland to make this project a success.”
Lucy Casot, Head of HLF Scotland, said: “Thanks to National Lottery players HLF grants enable everyone to share their stories and celebrate the richness of different cultures and traditions.”
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