Belonging brings together the personal experiences of people from Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, Jewish and Christian communities in Geneva, London, Rome, Vienna, Bonn and a rural area in Greece. Photographic portraits are paired with audio testimonies, accessible via QR code, in which participants speak in their own voices about what it looks like when they experience belonging, and when they do not. Rather than presenting parallel stories of different religions, the exhibition shows a shared search for visibility, dignity, safety and participation.

Join us at the Academy of International Affairs NRW for a 60-minute session combining a photo display, a short presentation, selected audio testimonies and a moderated discussion. Mariia Levchenko, KAICIID Fellow 2025-2026 and co-creator of the exhibition, will introduce the project and lead the session. A second Fellow may join to share the stories collected in their own city.

Programme

• Welcome and introduction to the KAICIID Fellowship and the exhibition (5 min)
• Presentation of the photographs and their contexts (10 min)
• Listening to selected audio testimonies (15 min)
• Moderated discussion with the audience (30 min)
• Closing and informal viewing of the display in the hallway (5 min)

The event is open to everyone with an interest in religious diversity and life in European cities, including researchers, students, city representatives, faith communities, civil society organisations and the wider public. Together we will ask what it takes for cities to recognise religious diversity as a valuable part of public life.

Belonging was co-created by the 2025-2026 KAICIID Fellows Basya Gartenstein, Hannah Larn (Rose Castle Foundation), Mariia Levchenko (Academy of International Affairs NRW), Eleonora Mura (Arigatou International) and Angeliki Okay.