The Surfacing Zarqa Digital Exhibition is now available online, presenting a collection of oral histories, photographs, memories, audio recordings, and creative interpretations developed through the Surfacing Zarqa project.

The exhibition builds on the work of nine young researchers from Zarqa who were trained in oral history and social research methods during 2024 and went on to document the memories and experiences of residents across the city. Through a series of workshops held online, at the Hashemite University, and at CBRL, participants learned how to conduct oral history interviews, develop interview questions, and document personal and collective memories of Zarqa.

Working in teams, the young researchers helped shape the themes explored in the exhibition before conducting interviews with residents from different generations and backgrounds. Over the course of the project, the team collected around 40 oral history interviews, creating a rich archive of memories and experiences connected to the city.

Conversations explored childhood, work, migration, leisure, neighbourhood life, urban change, and the everyday experiences that have shaped Zarqa over time. As the collection grew, the team worked together to identify nine oral histories that would form the foundation of the exhibition. These were selected from the wider archive and developed further through a collaborative process involving youth researchers, project partners, and exhibition consultants. Together, they identified key themes, selected excerpts, and curated materials suited to a digital exhibition format.

The exhibition brings together a selection of these stories and reflections through audio clips, photographs, archival materials, and creative responses. Rather than providing a comprehensive history of Zarqa, it offers a collection of personal perspectives and lived experiences that reveal different ways of knowing, remembering, and experiencing the city. The exhibition also remains open to future contributions, inviting visitors to share their own stories, photographs, and memories as part of an evolving digital archive.

The exhibition forms part of Surfacing Zarqa, a two-year research project (2024–2026) led by Dr Sarah Linn of Manchester Metropolitan University and Dr Hala Ghanem of the Hashemite University. The project is delivered in partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University, the Hashemite University, CBRL, UN-Habitat Jordan, and Liwan, and is funded through the British Academy’s ODA International Interdisciplinary Research Projects 2024 programme (Grant No. OIIRP230100).

Explore the exhibition here: https://surfacingzarqa.com/

To learn more about the project, including blogs, publications, and project updates, visit: https://surfacingzarqa.mmu.ac.uk/