Cultural Exchange: Climate Stories Across Cultures Through Creative Expression is a community-led initiative at Westside Resource Centre. Invited by Galway City Council through the Local Authority-Integration Team, it contributed to the Inspirations Global Food and Climate Festival.

The project brought together participants from diverse backgrounds and local artists to create an immersive, interactive space. Six stands, Pakistan, Nigeria, Iran, Ukraine, Somalia and Ireland, invited visitors to move between countries and explore climate experiences through culturally grounded storytelling, visual design and traditional snacks.

Each stand was led by community participants who shared lived experiences. Creativity made difficult conversations accessible. One contributor from Iran said: “A creative artwork, a playful object, real pictures, and a familiar cultural memory can create a gentle starting point.” A local artist noted that using recycled and natural materials reflected the project’s values.

For the Ukraine stand, participants made a large sunflower from recycled cardboard, old magazines, bottle caps and yellow fabric. One half was bright and full of life; the other pale and fragile. Their message—“Even the flowers of the sun need water”—sparked conversations with children and adults alike.

The Pakistan stand became a family experience. A contributor shared: “My daughters, aged seven and eleven, and my husband helped me decorate the stand… Seeing my children share these stories in their own words showed me that children can also play an important role in creating awareness.” Her eleven-year-old added: “I think this was a good opportunity I had to learn about climate change and how it is impacting different parts of the world.”

The response was overwhelmingly positive. Following the Climate Inspirations Festival, the exhibition was invited to the Westside Arts Festival and then extended

for three weeks at Westside Public Library. It was shared widely online and a project booklet captured participants’ reflections.

By connecting local voices with global stories, Cultural Exchange shows that climate action begins with understanding, empathy and creative expression, building a more connected and hopeful community in Galway.