Muhajir or Mohajir (Arabic: مهاجر ,muhājir;) means migrant or traveler. This was the name of the refugee social project that operated in Zaimi 24 before ESTO Association.The ‘Bag Mohajer’ project was run by refugees with the help of a German designer. For 5 years they produced bags using as raw materials remnants from the plastic boats and life vests with which refugees arrived on the Island of Lesbos. Accidentally learning about the story of our space through Nassim Muradi -a young refugee from Afghanistan- we got in touch with the people who worked in the space to learn more about the social project Mohajer. We wanted to take this story with us and keep its memory in our studio.

The multimedia installation was composed of objects, graphics, recorded storytellings and the documentary about the ‘Bag Mohajer’ project directed in 2017 by Adrian Oeser. It operates as a storytelling device carrying memories and creating a narration about the ex-use of the space and the people that used to live in the neighborhood of Exarcheia. The main pillars of our inspiration were the decorative elements that were used on the Mohajer bags by their makers -most of them symbols of freedom and movement (birds, boats etc) - and structural elements from Victoria train station -a landmark station for a lot of refugees who arrive, stay or leave -.

These symbols were incorporated on the objects that constituted the exhibition and will be used after as our furniture pieces as a way to keep these stories in our space and as a homage to the previous tenants.

The installation was carried out in collaboration with ANKAA NGO  ,a former collaborator of the ‘Bag Mohajer’ project, and the Tajikistan designer Shafi Qias .

Curated by: ESTO Association and Lida Markaki
Photos by: Danae Panagiotidi
Based on Bag Mohajer, Adrian Oeser, Documentary (2017)