Exhibition – Self-Defined. New Stories From Archives

Major exhibition presenting contemporary artistic responses to Eastern and Central European histories through the lens of fragmented, private and vernacular archives. The works challenge dominant historical narratives shaped by imperial and Soviet legacies, instead foregrounding intimate, often overlooked perspectives. Highlights include Karolina Gembara’s exploration of post-war displacement, Emine Ziyatdin’s Crimean Tatar counter-archives, Andrii Dostliev’s reinterpretation of Soviet tourist photography, Lia Dostlieva’s speculative memory video work, and Zenta Dzividzinska’s long-term photographic documentation of Latvian rural life. Produced in partnership with Liverpool European Festival, University of Salford and the National Library of Latvia.

Venue: Open Eye Gallery
Date:17 April – 7 June 2026
Open: 10am–5pm (Tue–Sun)