CIRCLING THE TABLE, CIRCLING THE WORLD

Calais, January 21, 2026

Today was our first visit to Calais this year, and there was a positive atmosphere in the @calais.exilessc day centre of refurbishment, sorting, redecorating - collective preparations for the year ahead.

Outside it was cold and inside the day centre felt busy, with the vast majority of people from Sudan and Iran. There have been a few recent sea crossings but these are the first for a while, and hundreds of people are sleeping outside.

Several of the twenty or so people who joined The Community Table told us they had recently arrived in Calais, with a few men recounting the horrors of their respective governments, of separation, of not knowing the fate of family members, of world governments not listening, of needing to stay strong.

The table as ever seemed to draw those who needed it to find their place. Some young men returned a few times, circling the table, eventually settling for a while. We had several rich conversations, peppered with warmth, humour and points of connection - about different countries around the world and world events. We discussed cultures and traditions, dialects and languages, music, animals and families.

The plasticine, black and white photos and miniature bricks were particularly valuable. Interesting that the old photos were used to build upon, sometimes like a blueprint, and that a well, table settings and camels appeared, reminders from home populating the various buildings and spaces between.

Words by Miriam Usiskin & Bobby Lloyd.