Embedded Files
Behind the curtain
Behind the curtain
Supported by Creative Scotland, we're working with the Federation of Scottish Theatre and Traditional Dance Forum of Scotland to learn more about the experiences of people who have moved to Scotland from countries east of the former Iron Curtain, and who are involved in Scotland's creative sector. There's a letter from our director, Katherina Radeva, below, and links to contribute by completing the current surveys -- one for individual migrants, and one for Scotland's cultural organisations.
A letter from Kat
A letter from Kat
Dear Friends, Colleagues, Strangers, Culture Lovers,
Hello and Thank you for reading this!
My name is Katherina Radeva and I am a first generation migrant from Bulgaria. I arrived in the UK in 1999 to study in the arts and I never left. I made a life and a "career" here. This year, my company Two Destination Language turns 15 (whoop, us!) and taking stock around this anniversary I am spending a little time and resources to ask myself and look around - how is my migrant community doing? And how am I doing? Is my work here still relevant and to whom?
For the past ten years my base has been in Scotland - I have invested a lot of time and energy making things happen here. But often, I have felt lonely in my pursuit. Where is my eastern european fam?
So, this Autumn I am spending a little time mapping who is here and how they are doing, how are we all doing? What's working and what is not. Together with my friend and colleague Iliyana Nedkova - a formidable curator, initiator and organizer and a fellow migrant from Bulgaria, we have made this survey. And we would absolutely love you to fill it in - as honestly as you possibly can.
We are also holding a small number of one on one conversations, for which participants will be paid. You will see more about that at the end of the survey.
After the survey, Iliyana and I will collate the information for a report to share with the sector, noticing the challenges this group of migrants face, what we have heard and possibly some suggestions of things to do next.
What do I mean by my Eastern European Fam - well, broadly speaking from the Balkans to the Baltics through central Europe - all countries that were behind the Iron Curtain including those currently known as Albania, Belarus, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Czechia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, Poland, Moldova, North Macedonia, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ukraine.
Oh, my- that's a lot of countries with such rich histories and complex politics!
If you identify as a cultural worker - artist, producer, writer, musician, dancer, theatre maker...please fill in the survey. Deadline is 30 November 2026
If you’re reading this and you don't identify in this way, but you know someone who might, please, please spread the word!
This survey may take you 10 minutes or, if you have a lot to say, it might take you an hour - please give it the time.
In solidarity with all migrant cultural workers, from everywhere and to everywhere,
Katherina x
for migrants
for migrants
This survey is for those who have moved to Scotland from places which were behind the Iron Curtain, from the Baltics to the Balkans, and Central to Eastern Europe. Click the button to complete the survey.
for organisations
for organisations
This is a survey for Scottish cultural organisations, to understand the representation of people from places which were behind the Iron Curtain. Please click the button below to complete the survey.
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