IRINA NOVOSLAVSKA

Dom is the Russian word for home. This project explores the idea of home and
belonging. Participants who came from Eastern Europe spent years in the UK,
however their experience is individual and it is what makes the notions of home
and belonging unique and intimate subject.
Each intrviewee has been photographed in the home environment where they
have felt most comfortable. Individual portraits along side some of the interview
questions preserve warm colours, resulting in the representation of each
respondents feeling of home.

Tatsiana
Place of origin: Belarus, Pastavy
In UK: 2 years

What does home mean to you?

My home should always preserve warm and friendly atmosphere.
I would like my home to be cozy and it should always be full of
people. Sometimes, you have a feeling that you want to visit a
particular persons house. I also want my home guests to feel that
way, to feel pleasant about my home. I love create the coziness and
comfort in my house. I believe that every woman should do that.

Do you feel that United

Kingdom became your home?
No. Simply, I was able to adapt and the life here became my habit,
but nothing more. There is a huge difference between the habit and
the way you feel at home. I dont have a feeling such as I am here,
this is mine!. The only feeling I got is the need to be here.

Do you think that home can

be created in any part of the
world or it does not matter?
I believe that you can create home no matter where. Of course, my
home would look different in Belarus. The food, furniture is different,
in overall everything is different in there. However, based on what
you have, I believe that it is possible to create the coziness and
comfort. However, this will feel different. Many years I have been
dreaming about different things.

Ksenija
Place of origin: Latvia, Daugavpils
In UK: 5 years

What does home mean to you?

In the first place it is the pleasurable atmosphere where you always
want to come back to after work, for example. Home is the place
where you would love to come back.

Do you feel that United

Kingdom became your home?
No.

Do you think that home can

be created in any part of the
world or it does not matter?
In my opinion you can create home in any country. Home is where
you are.

Iveta
Place of origin: Latvia, Daugavpils
In UK: 5 years

What does home mean to you?

Warmth and comfort, happiness and love.

Do you feel that United

Kingdom became your home?
Yes, I do. I feel that my home is here. However, there are memories,
which trigger my desire to go back in Latvia, as it is my motherland.
On the other side, I dont think that England is the ideal home where
I would love to live and work. I still havent decided where I want to
live.

Do you think that home can

be created in any part of the
world or it does not matter?
My home is where my heart is and it does not depend on the
location.

Ruslan
Place of origin: Russia, Kaliningrad
In UK: 5 years

What does home mean to you?

Home is where you are being loved and welcomed. My home is
where my family and children are.

Do you feel that United

Kingdom became your home?
Yes. I have the confidence in the future and I feel free.

Do you think that home can

be created in any part of the
world or it does not matter?
I think that home can be created in any country. It does not depend
on location.

Evija
Place of origin: Latvia, Riga
In UK: 7 years

What does home mean to you?

Cozy, warm and clean atmosphere. If home is comfortable you
will always want to come back. Home is the calm place where you
always feel great.

Do you feel that United

Kingdom became your home?
Yes. The last time when we went to Latvia, I had the feeling that I
cannot wait to go back to the UK. Here is my home, I have lived here
for long now and feel like home. Of course, sometimes I want to go
back in Latvia, but here I have everything. I like this country and
people. In Latvia people are miserable, but here strangers say Hi!
and smile to you.

Do you think that home can

be created in any part of the
world or it does not matter?
Location of home matters, however, if you are happy you will feel at
home no matter where.

Mihails
Place of origin: Latvia, Bolderaja
In UK: 8 years

What does home mean to

you?
My home is my castle.

Do you feel that United

Kingdom became your home?
I have mixed feelings about that. Yes and no. Yes, because I have
lived in UK already 8 years, no because Latvia is my homeland.

Do you think that home can

be created in any part of the
world or it does not matter?
No. You can create home everywhere, but you cannot create Im
home! feeling everywhere.

,
,

,
.
,
-

,
,

.
,
:
,
.

,
,
.
.

Julia
Place of origin: Latvia, Eleja
In UK: More than 5 years

What does home mean to you?

Calm, loving and peaceful atmosphere, all the best qualities.

Do you feel that United

Kingdom became your home?
Yes. My family is here, so it comes that my home is where my family
is.

Max
Place of origin: Russia, Astrakhan
In UK: 3 years

What does home mean to you?

I have few priorities in terms of home. First of all, it is God. For
me Christianity is not just a tradition. It is a way of living by the
principles of Christianity and to preserve a close relationship with
God.
Second of all, are the historical principles. I will teach my children
to respect a country they will live in and make sure they feel that it is
second home. It is very important!
If you have close relationship with God, all those qualities that I have
mentioned before will take their own place. I believe that only with
God you will be able to have peace in your home. It is also important
to solve any problems peacefully.
Do you feel that United
Kingdom became your home?
I am thankful that UK was able to accept me. I am very grateful to
this country, even though I wouldnt stay here for the rest of my life
however, some aspects can change my mind. When I was in Russia I
have caught myself on the thought that I miss England. I confess I had
such feeling.
Do you think that home can
be created in any part of the
world or it does not matter?
I have always dreamt of having my own village house with the corn
field, lakes and the place where I would feel relaxed. Of course, I
also love the rhythm and the buzz of the city where I would love to
have an apartment. Add a little bit of Russian to this salad and it
will be my home.

Ksenija
Place of origin: Latvia, Olaine
In UK: 5 years

What does home mean to you?

Calm and quiet atmosphere without the arguments as it usually
happens.

Do you feel that United

Kingdom became your home?
Yes, because when I go to Latvia I feel there as a guest, I come back
to UK and feel at home.

Anna
Place of origin: Latvia, Riga
In UK: 5 years

What does home mean to you?

In my opinion home is where a lot of children and pets are, as well as
loving mother and father. When you visit this kind of home, there will
be lots of positive energy. When coming back home the atmosphere
should be calming and full of positive emotions.

Do you feel that United

Kingdom became your home?
No. I am here temporary and I still undecided where I want to
live permanently. However, when I was in Spain for the holiday, if
someone I met for the first time asked me where Im from, I have
always answered that Im from London. I guess, somewhere in my
mind I know that I consider UK home, but I still do not admit it.

Do you think that home can

be created in any part of the
world or it does not matter?
First two years after moving to the UK I have denied the fact that it
is my home. My mum have always said that it is our home now, but
I have resisted and always said that it is not my home and that Im
not going to live here. Ive been angry all the time and didnt want
to accept the fact that this country became my home. Now I believe
that it is possible to settle down in any place and call it home. This
depends on how we make our home.

Lina
Place of origin: Latvia, Eleja
In UK: 5 years

What does home mean to you?

Home is where the family is and it is good. It is where its stable. I
want my children to know where their permanent home is no matter
what. That home is always on the same address. I want them to know
that there will be mum and dad, it is warm and they are welcomed.

Do you feel that United

Kingdom became your home?
No. I dont have such feeling as I am home here. However, I think
that my problem is that we rent this house and the fact that the
landlord might come at any time and require to move out. I do not
feel attached to this place. If I would have my own home here, I
would feel differently, more stable. I am a village girl and if I find the
place where I feel at home, I start to settle down.
Do you think that home can
be created in any part of the
world or it does not matter?
I think yes. You can create home anywhere, but if the person does not
feel comfortable in one or another country, he orshe will not even try
to create home in that place. He will continue to search for the place
where he would feel comfortable.

Igors
Place of origin: Latvia, Zemgale
In UK: 3 years

What does home mean to you?

My house should smell of roast meat and delicious food. There must
be warm atmosphere to want to go home.

Do you feel that United

Kingdom became your home?
No. Heart will always stay where you came from. I live here just
because I need to support my family. If I would be by myself I
wouldnt live here.

Do you think that home can

be created in any part of the
world or it does not matter?
Most important is to love the place where you live and it will always
be where your heart is. It is better to live in a place where you know
everything and feel like the fish in the water. It should be the place
where you wont need to change yourself and your language. You
should be able to interact with people freely and dont feel confined.
Love is the most important factor!

Copyright Irina Novoslavska 2015. All rights reserved.

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