Giant shoe box of stories lands in Frankston Library Forecourt

Published on 27 February 2020

An exciting exhibition, housed in a giant shoebox, will open today (Thursday 27 February) in the Frankston Library Forecourt.

A Mile in My Shoes gives visitors a chance to borrow other people’s shoes and listen to stories from their lives.

It was created by the roving Empathy Museum, which was founded in 2015 in London to help people view the world from other people’s perspectives.

The installation is presented by Arts Centre Melbourne and is on loan to the Frankston Arts Centre as part of this weekend’s Latin Arts Festival, Ventana Fiesta.

A Mile in My Shoes features the story of Rosebud couple, Angela and Pablo Barra, who migrated from Peru in 1974.

Mr and Mrs Barra created the Peruvian Folkloric Dance Group and are heavily involved in the soccer community.

The couple, who have been married for 50 years, have often opened their hearts and home to those in need and take great pride in promoting inclusiveness in all that they do.

“We are happy to have an opportunity to tell the story of our lives and our involvement in the community since we moved to Australia,” Mrs Barra said.

Frankston City Council Mayor, Sandra Mayer, said A Mile in My Shoes was one of many wonderful experiences available to families at Ventana Fiesta on Saturday.

“It is a real feast for the senses so grab your family and friends and come down to the Arts Precinct to have a meal, a dance and take in the spectacular,” Cr Mayer said.

A Mile in my Shoes will be open between Thursday 27 February and Sunday 15 March at the Frankston Library Forecourt, 60 Playne Street, Frankston. For session times, information and details about Ventana Fiesta visit: artscentre.frankston.vic.gov.au