SUIT
CASES
A cultural project dedicated to meetings and dialogue in European cities. We create a space for those who arrive — and those who welcome them.
We live side by side,
yet our stories
remain unheard
Migration affects everyone — but we rarely speak about it across the divide.
- People who arrive often stay inside a language and cultural bubble
- Local residents may feel tension and uncertainty
- Those who stay feel the absence of loved ones
"If I could pack my suitcase, I would take my favorite mug, my friends, and the street I walk every day. But at the airport, they'll say: 'Your luggage is overweight.' And I will leave with just a backpack — into a new stage of life."
Three formats
to connect on
different levels
45-minute non-verbal performance for 3 actors. The language of movement is direct and clear to everyone.
- Mobile troupe with in-house specialists for quick setup
- Venue capacity: 200
- Total audience: 3,200+ across 20 shows
- "50/50" policy: 50% free for youth under 26, 50% paid at €25
QR codes in the city lead to real migration stories. The audience can add their own voices to the project.
- Posters appear in the city a month before the show
- 30-second videos with digital characters telling real stories
- Stories reflect a variety of viewpoints on migration
45-min moderated discussion on the role of art in understanding migration + 45-min hands-on workshop.
- 20 events — one in each tour city
- The project can be invited to partner venues
Digital
avatars
A month before the project, posters appear in the city with QR codes. Scanning leads to a 30-second video where a digital character tells their story — gaining their own identity and form.
Stories about migration and the issues surrounding migrants reflect a variety of viewpoints. The audience can add their own voices to the project.
"When you run, you don't know what to take. You want everything and nothing. It's not you packing the suitcase — it's fear, panic, and intuition. And intuition matters most, because you don't know what you'll need."
20 cities across
five countries
We create a 'scorecard' for each city, weighing up criteria and compiling a ranking to select the most suitable options.
A foundation for
future collaboration
For our consortium, "Suitcases" is an opportunity to realize our shared mission through action. We are here to help these changes happen and create a lasting network enabling all Caravan partners to access this community.
"What is in your suitcase? Memories, objects, hopes, fears? Can you control them, or should you let go?"
A collaboration of
artists and experts
Many with personal migration experience.
Circus that speaks about
complex things
Since 2000, Upsala Circus has used circus language to speak about what matters. Based in Zeitz, Germany since 2018, we have created 3 performances and toured across Europe.
"Suitcases" grew out of that practice, and became something bigger: a collaboration of artists, facilitators, researchers, and local partners across Europe. Many of us have migration experience. But the project is for everyone.
Funding
model
The model keeps the project accessible while covering operational costs — including free access for young people.
Working across borders,
transparently
We collaborate using Monday, Miro, and Google Workspace. Each tour city gets its own page — before the show it promotes the performance, after it documents results, audience numbers, workshop feedback, QR scans, and media coverage.
Let's talk —
we're open
We're always open to questions, ideas, or just a quick chat. Feel free to reach out to us directly.