Museum for a Day
Starting off by sharing my own story…
I am Desiree Bashi, and this is my story:
I grew up in Bandar-e Anzali, once known as Bandar-e Pahlavi, in a house next to a red poppy flower field. The summer we left Iran, the poppies were in full bloom.
My mom took with her a leather mirror, engraved with a woman playing the Kamanche, a Persian bowed string instrument.
Sadly, one day, many years ago, I couldn’t find the mirror, my heart literally sank. It was as if a piece of my past had disappeared, leaving me feeling incomplete.
Months passed, and I began to resign myself to the idea that the mirror was truly lost!
Then, one day, as I was organising some old boxes moving from one country to another there it was! Tucked away amidst forgotten memories, just waiting to be rediscovered.
Finding that mirror felt like a reunion with a long-lost friend, I was so happy! This mirror now is in my home in Bedford, where I moved 16 years ago, a town that has welcomed me and made me feel at home. This mirror carries the memory of my childhood, of new beginnings, endings and the resilience of memories.
This object makes me believe in the power of stories in objects we hold. It also reminds me that what I thought was lost forever may find its way back to me in the most unexpected ways.
We all have objects that hold such significance, and we want to create a vision of Bedford through objects that tell our stories.
🔍 Have you ever kept something significant to you forever?
📸 What is the treasure in your home and its story?
🌟 We are creating a collection of stories and capturing photos of the objects’ stories.
💬 If you’d like to share your story, please contact me at info@desireebashi.com.
📅 On August 6th, we are holding the “Museum for a Day” at the Harpur Suite from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. We hope to see you there, but if you can’t make it, we still want to hear your story. With additional funding, we hope to potentially include your stories in a book.
Let’s uncover the extraordinary within the ordinary and celebrate the stories that shape our lives. Share your treasures and memories with us!
#ObjectStories #MuseumForADay #BedfordCommunity #ShareYourStory