{"id":82,"date":"2021-06-20T00:32:11","date_gmt":"2021-06-20T00:32:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/virtual-exhibits.library.queensu.ca\/queens-refuge\/?page_id=82"},"modified":"2021-10-02T04:47:07","modified_gmt":"2021-10-02T04:47:07","slug":"whats-in-a-suitcase","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/localhost:8080\/whats-in-a-suitcase\/","title":{"rendered":"What’s in a Suitcase?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

(1)<\/span> Directions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
  • \"\"<\/figure><\/li>
  • \"\"<\/figure><\/li><\/ul>
    Object: Suitcase of Maria and Danylo Luciuk, c. 1949. Private collection, Professor Lubomyr Luciuk, Kingston
    Picture: Maria and Danylo Luciuk, c. 1949. Private collection, Professor Lubomyr Luciuk, Kingston<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Forced migration is not simply about a point of departure or the place of arrival. Most refugees suffer traumatic and repeated dislocations, challenges that degrade their social, economic, and political status, and even their physical and mental health. And, no matter how much the refugee might hope or try to make decisions about their destination, the choices available are often very limited. Advice and resettlement assistance must typically be accepted from others, be they individuals, religious communities, state agencies, or international organizations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This luggage belonged to Maria and Danylo Luciuk, Ukrainian Displaced Persons (DPs) aided by the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA) and, later, the International Refugee Organization (IRO). After years of privitation and uncertainty, they left war-torn Europe in 1949 and found asylum in Kingston. Here they rebuilt their lives as Canadians. Their children both attended Queen\u2019s University and later helped other refugees, never forgetting what their parents endured and what this battered suitcase \u2013 all that Maria and Danylo had when they came to this city \u2013 represents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n\n\n\n

    (2)<\/span> Transit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    • \"\"<\/figure><\/li>
    • \"\"<\/figure><\/li><\/ul>
      Object: Certificate of Registration for Alfred Bader, issued in April 1940 in England, Alfred Bader fonds, box 1, folder 5, Queen\u2019s University Archives
      Picture: Alfred Bader in Tricolor \u201945<\/em> (Kingston: Alma Mater Society 1956), p. 60, Queen\u2019s University Archives<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      Refugees in the past and present are often forced into a transit situation: disconnected from social or family networks from one day to the next, deprived of citizenship or even their status as a human being, without valid papers documenting basic information like birthplace or education. However, this transit situation could offer new opportunities and choices \u2013 if the receiving society, institutions, or organizations made such choices possible for refugees. This British certificate from 1940 represents such a refugee, Alfred Bader, it is a document giving him legal status.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      This British certificate from 1940 represents such a refugee, Alfred Bader was sent to Britain with a Kindertransport from Vienna in 1938. But this document was not the end of his transit situation: in 1940 Bader was deported to and interned in Canada, before eventually successfully beginning studies at Queen\u2019s where he was active in student organizations. But he left Kingston to go to the US when he had the opportunity. He nonetheless remained strongly connected to Kingston, becoming a successful businessman, art collector, and generous donor to Queen\u2019s University. Like many other refugees, Queen\u2019s University was  a transit point for the refugee Bader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n\n\n\n

      (3)<\/span> Relief<\/h2>\n\n\n\n