Roots in Exile

6pm, Tuesday 17 June 2025
Hastings Gardens, Valletta

A guided walk through the works of Sima Hosseini

6pm, Sunday 22 June 2025
Ġnien Il-Kunsill Ta' L-Ewropa, Gzira

A conversation between Sima Hoseini and Margerita Pulè tracing the journey of the project, and the joy of bringing cultures together.
Part of Sparkfest 2025

As Kurds, Sima Hosseini and her family were forced to leave their home in Iran. They have found a new life in Malta and have been welcomed by the community in Marsaskala, but still miss the culture, language, and landscape of their home. Sima, her husband and her two children now live in Marsaskala, where Sima – a trained artist and architect – has become a valued member of community life.

Now, while she explores the beauty of Malta, Sima is reminded of her home; something in the Maltese landscape reminds her of Iran, and something in Maltese patterns reminds her of her own Kurdish culture. Memories of life and family strengthen our communities and remind us that people all over the world need love and beauty in their lives. We are all reminded of home in the little things we see around us.

As a trained architect, Sima has been particularly drawn to Maltese architectural language and landscapes; on long walks she catches sight of a gallerija, a church dome, an empty farmhouse, or a flowering tree. Over these, she lays imagery from her native Kurdish culture; poetry and crafts, with fragments of dance and pattern.

She is particularly drawn to the drama of Valletta and its architecture. During RWM 2025, and in collaboration with Unfinished Art Space, Sima’s work will be showcased in the city against a background of trees and Maltese stone. Roots in Exile is a collection of works that speak of separation, memory, beauty and acceptance.