The innovative project, If Conrad Had TikTok, explores Conrad’s early experiences in Suffolk through a blend of creative storytelling and historical research. Funded through the Arrivals: Celebrating Migration to Suffolk initiative, the project reflects on Conrad’s arrival in Lowestoft in 1878, his first step on British soil and highlights themes of migration, identity, and community.
The project draws on The Voice cLoud’s 2023 research initiative Joseph Conrad – The Life of a Lowestoft Immigrant, offering an imaginative and accessible way to engage new audiences with Suffolk’s rich migration history.
Councillor Philip Faircloth-Mutton, Suffolk County Council Cabinet Member for Environment, Communities and Equality said:
“We are delighted to be working with The Voice cLoud on this creative and thought-provoking project. It’s a fantastic example of how collaboration can bring heritage to life, helping people connect with Suffolk’s diverse history in meaningful and accessible ways.”
Richard Simpson, Director of The Voice cLoud, said:
“Working with Suffolk Archives has been key to bringing this project to life, helping us combine real historical research with creative storytelling. If Conrad Had TikTok is about bringing the past into the present in a way that feels immediate and personal.
“We wanted to imagine how someone like him might have shared his story if he’d had the tools we use today - social media, video, and a platform to speak directly to others. It’s a fresh way to explore timeless themes like starting over, identity, resilience, community, acceptance, and belonging; helping people see history through a more personal and relatable lens.”
The project forms part of the Arrivals programme, which was recently named Community Engagement Programme of the Year at the Museums + Heritage Awards.
The videos will be hosted on the Suffolk Archives website under the Arrivals Community page later in the year.
