This is one of eight reflections from student UNESCO Ambassadors at Lyng Hall who were invited to the Cities of Remembrance symposium in Ypres and Dunkirk which took place from 20-27 May. An earlier blog describes the background in more detail and points to seven other reflections from the visit. This reflection covers the theme of identity and Eden writes:
After the trip I thought about how it would start changing the way I view what’s happening in the world and how it affected me as a person. Using these different thoughts I created a poem of my reflections over the trip.
Identity
Starting off this journey
My mind was full of worry
Making sure I was prepared fully
Ending off the day with happily
Around this city we were moving
New things we were learning
Discovering what history’s becoming
Now is the time to be remembering
Meeting the people there
Hearing the stories from everywhere
Part of me I had to share
Each thing said with care
Performing the piece
Creating inner peace
Letting past hatred cease
Letting my story take seize
Paying our respects
Throughout differed aspects
Despite what we see is just specks
Each piece has affects
Cycling around these sites
Learning about these fights
That my family have had sights
Seeing the end of many nights
Walking around this place
Coming up with each new case
To continue on this journeyed chase
Honouring each point with grace
From this place we are leaving
The messages we are heaving
To our home we are returning
Having learnt to share their yearning

Asking about family photographs leads into stories of identity and belonging