From East to East is a comprehensive and ambitious research project that seeks to explore the rich and varied history of Chinese migration to the East Midlands. The project has been developed in close collaboration with Chinese communities in Leicester, Nottingham, and Derby, and is focused on documenting the migration to the region from the 1950s to the present day. Through meticulous research, we have sought to uncover the complex factors that have driven people to migrate to the East Midlands, from economic and political instability to the search for new opportunities and a better life. Our research has also explored the experiences of Chinese migrants in the East Midlands, including how they have established new homes and communities, navigated cultural differences, and contributed to the region's rich and diverse social fabric.

 

To bring our research to life, we have worked closely with professional artists and historians to create a series of documentary shorts that provide a detailed and nuanced picture of the Chinese migrant experience in the East Midlands. These shorts focus on each decade from the 1950s to the 2010s, and offer a unique window into the changing social and cultural landscape of the region. In addition to our documentary shorts, we have also organised a range of events across the region to promote our project and engage with local communities. These events have included an immersive, interactive digital arts exhibition, New Year processions, workshops and performances, and other community-based activities. We have also created a website that serves as a comprehensive and accessible record of our research, making our findings available to a wide audience.

 

The From East to East project has been made possible thanks to the generous support of Arts Council England and the Heritage Lottery Fund, and we are committed to continuing our work to document and celebrate the rich and diverse history of Chinese migration to the East Midlands.