Arrivals exhibition in Ipswich shares migration stories

Bayram Karabulut has opened several restaurants since arriving in Suffolk

A new exhibition is showcasing stories from people who migrated from across the world to make Suffolk their home.

The event, called Arrivals, at The Hold heritage centre in Ipswich explores experiences of migration to the county since the end of World War Two.

One story comes from Bayram Karabulut who arrived solo in the UK when he was 17, fleeing Turkish Kurdistan.

"It is very important for everyone, wherever they live, that they should be safe," said Mr Karabulut.

The exhibition is co-curated by Suffolk Archives, a Suffolk County Council service, and also features donated objects and cultural clothing.

An integral part of the project is a collection of oral histories from the community including personal stories from those who have made various journeys to the county.

Mr Karabulut, 51, left his home due to political challenges with the government. After spending time in Coventry he was eventually told her could stay in the UK.

Describing this time, he said: "The feeling that you are lucky - at least you are surviving, compared to those who didn't come this far, you can moan, but millions would want to be in your shoes.

"It is not easy to leave your family, where you were born, going as far as possible - we had no idea what England was like when we came here."

The Arrivals exhibition features a Windrush room

Once he was safe, Mr Karabulut decided to explore the world, finally making Ipswich his home after he had stopped in the town briefly on his way to Harwich port.

He met his wife, had three children and went on to be a successful business man.

"I believe I added a lot to the local economy, I opened businesses and passed them on to people in my community - also offering work and social support to other newer arrivals," he said.

Mr Karabulut went on to set up the Bella Napoli restaurant in 2003, in Bury St. Edmunds to begin with, and now with three more in Ipswich.

Reflecting on his journey, he said: "It is very important for everyone, wherever they live, they should be safe. People should be able to be the maximum, the best person they can be."

Simona Lazar's story is included in the exhibition.

Born in Romania to a Roma family she had an ambitious mother who encouraged her not to marry young, a traditional part of the Roma culture, but instead to gain an education and travel the world.

Mrs Lazar worked in Spain, Italy and Hungary before finally coming with her husband to Ipswich in 2014.

She had a great first impression of the town and has gone on to work here and set up a charity to support those in the Roma community.

"We have to support each other," she said. "If someone is in need then we have to be there."

Mrs Lazar's charity, Union Romani Voice, offers support around housing, education, work, employment, translation skills, doctors' appointments and anything that supports integration into the local community.

"For me, coming from a very poor family - dreaming of a bright future having my parents and teachers support me... I want one day to help someone else to have a brilliant future just like myself," she said.

Arrivals: Celebrating Migration to Suffolk is open until April 2024.

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