Uncovering Vietnamese Archives: Library of Ancestral Knowledge

The ESEA programme is generously funded by the Lien Viet Fund by Islington and Shoreditch Housing Association (ISHA).

The purpose of the Library of Ancestral Knowledge is to explore, gather and create a resource and legacy rooted in care, celebration and connection, starting with our local ESEA community.

This will be achieved through creative workshops and programming to inspire knowledge sharing. By knowledge we mean the practices, rituals, tools and ideas that are integral to ESEA diaspora ways of making home in the UK. This can be anything from family recipes, herbal remedies, dance, songs, sewing, repairing/DIY, gardening tips and more. The Library will serve as a catalyst for ESEA participants to self-archive, which will contribute to the wider history of Vietnamese and ESEA diaspora lived experiences in the UK.

The Library of Ancestral Knowledge is co-created with the External Steering Group, who are integral to the decision-making, vision-building and development of the Uncovering Vietnamese Archives: Research Residency since 2022. This group consists of Christine Hanway, Trà My Hickin, Cường Minh Bá Phạm, Jessica Sims and Loan Tran, working closely with ESEA Community Producer Lara Baclig.

To start, we have selected three inspiring creative practitioners and artists who will help us explore knowledge around Growing, Healing and Making.