Leicester's Living Together: New Exhibition Unveils City's Diverse Voices
A groundbreaking new exhibition is set to open at Leicester Museum, offering a profound exploration of the city's rich social fabric through the personal stories of its residents. The display will present key themes and insights drawn from 103 in-depth interviews conducted as part of the Living Together oral history project.
Capturing Leicester's Diverse Community
The Living Together project, led by St Philip’s Centre and generously funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, has meticulously documented the experiences of a wide cross-section of people who now call Leicester home. The project's participants reflect the city's remarkable diversity, with approximately one-third originally from outside the UK, another third from other parts of the UK, and the final third hailing from Leicester itself.
This carefully balanced representation ensures the exhibition captures a truly comprehensive picture of contemporary life in one of Britain's most multicultural cities.
Exploring Key Themes of Urban Life
The exhibition delves into several crucial themes that emerged consistently throughout the interview process. Visitors will encounter thoughtful explorations of:
- Whether residents feel genuinely free to express their authentic selves within the city
- How Leicester celebrates its cultural diversity through festivals and community events
- The various barriers and challenges people encounter in their daily lives
- The role of lived religion and personal belief systems in shaping community identity
- Observations about how the city has transformed over recent decades
- Unique experiences that could only happen in Leicester's distinctive social landscape
An Interactive Visitor Experience
From February 7th until May 2026, the exhibition will occupy Leicester Museum's People's Gallery, offering multiple ways for visitors to engage with this important community documentation. The display will feature:
- Audio clips from the original interview recordings, allowing visitors to hear residents' stories in their own voices
- Selected quotes and narratives from participants, presented alongside contextual information
- Interactive elements where visitors can contribute their own perspectives on contemporary life in Leicester
Preserving Community Spirit for Future Generations
Tom Wilson, director of St Philip’s Centre, emphasised the project's significance, stating: "Leicester is well-known for its harmony and ability of many communities to live well together. This project has documented and preserved the experiences that lie behind the cohesion and community spirit of the city by recording the memories of one hundred and three people who have made their home in Leicester."
He continued: "We gave people who live and work in the city the opportunity to record their experience of living within the rich variety of cultures and experiences found within Leicester. The exhibition showcases some of our findings about how we live together."
This exhibition represents more than just a display of historical research—it serves as a living testament to Leicester's evolving identity and a valuable resource for understanding how diverse communities build shared lives in Britain's cities.
