Refugees on record: the role of migrations in shaping the history of recorded sound
Migration has played a vital but often overlooked role in shaping the recording industry. This event explores historical recordings linked to refugees and migration, highlighting how music has preserved cultural connections, fostered belonging, and helped people maintain ties to home across generations.
Refugee Week: Events
Date: Thursday 18 June 2026
Time: 16:00 - 18:00
Venue: Clarice Pears, Room 146
Category: Public lectures, Sanctuary
Speaker: Eva Moreda Rodriguez
Migrations played a significant yet unrecognized role in the shaping of the early recording industry. Vernacular genres cultivated by refugee communities, such as Greek rembetiko, were captured in record and disseminated throughout the world from earlier on and, similarly, recordings allowed musics to circulate and refugees to sonically connect with their homeland. The following event will present several historical recordings connected to refugees and migration, offering context for interpretation, as well a space for reflection on how recorded music continues playing an important role in refugees' lives.