It may be that only the wind knows from where it comes, but people who move to a foreign country – immigrants, expats – often keep memories of their homeland close to their hearts. Yet, in Close to Home, a photography exhibition by eight artists from eight countries, opening at Academia Gallery in Sofia on July 24 2008, it is the themes of migration and moves caused by violence that take centre stage.

Organised by the British Council in Bulgaria as part of its Living Together initiative, the show unites the works of Piruza Khalapyan (Armenia), Sejla Kameric (Bosnia and Herzegovina), George Georgiou (Cyprus), David Creedon (Ireland), Yuval Yairi (Israel), Dana Popa (Moldova), Gulsun Karamustafa (Turkey) and Ivor Prickett (Wales).

It aims to initiate debate on “the influence of migratory groups upon a contemporary society that tends to ignore their existence”, a British Council in Bulgaria press release said, while exploring how these groups adapt to their new environment and develop in a new social structure.

Following its preview in London, England, in March 2008, the official vernissage of Close to Home took place in Belfast, Northern Ireland, as part of the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival in May 2008.

Close to Home, which is here made possible with support from the Bulgarian Ministry of Culture's national project Home of Our Unity in a True Embrace (Дом на нашето единство в искрена прегръдка), European Union financing in the framework of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue, and the National Academy of Arts, will be shown in eight countries.

It is on in Sofia until August 10 2008.