At Terminal 1, Glastonbury attendees got a small taste of the challenges migrants face when seeking a new home, through an expertly crafted immersive experience. Passing through immigration is far from the usual concern for Glastonbury-goers, but Terminal 1 aimed to provoke thought about movement and migration in a novel way. To enter Terminal 1, visitors were required to answer a question from the British citizenship test.
Approaching the desk, visitors were met by two stern immigration officials. A series of instructions and questions were barked at them: “Stand shoulder to shoulder”; “Look me in the eyes”; “Are you British?” This was the welcome at Terminal 1, where artists—all migrants—offered attendees a glimpse of British border “hospitality.” As the experience continued, people ascended stairs to another airport security-style area where staff shouted instructions in Rwandan. After passing through the scanner, visitors retrieving their shoes found them tossed across a floor covered in small rocks instead of handed back. It seemed amusing at the moment but highlighted the harsh treatment many migrants face in their search for a home.
The theme of immigration resonated throughout Glastonbury this year. The wider Glastonbury community and its supported artists continuously find creative ways to spread messages of unity and acceptance. Terminal 1’s message is clear: no one is illegal. It serves as a reminder that we are all human and, in one way or another, we are all migrants.
This space isn’t just for sitting and sipping; it’s also an opportunity to reflect on how travel and migration can enrich our lives—and how countries are increasingly trying to restrict and control these freedoms.
