EC1: An international neighbourhood

I like to think of the Golden Lane Estate as warm and welcoming, a place where people from across the globe can feel comfortable and safe. That might be an illusion/fantasy, even though the number of nationalities among our residents is huge. I tell outsiders proudly that our estate is a microcosm of London itself. A good number of the original residents from when the estate was a new build back in the late 1950s and early 1960s are still here. We have young families from homelands across Europe. A quick-think list of countries resident on Golden Lane would include: Turkey, Portugal, America, Nigeria, Greece, Holland, Germany, India, Pakistan, the Philippines… 

One of my favourite residents is Marta, a lively Colombian woman who lives in Hatfield House with her son and an unruly collection of balcony plants. Marta is an anchor for many members of the South American community in this part of the City and neighbouring South Islington. She beetles around, translating and offering help so fast it’s a miracle to catch her standing still. Even then the urge to dance a tango or salsa is never far from her 70-year-old feet.

South Americans are longstanding settlers in this part of London, as are Italians. Other nationalities come and go. Not long ago, we had a German deli not far away in Kings Square that sold an amazing number of exotic sausages, I'm told it moved south of the river to Borough Market. Food seems to be a common thread. The emergence of Whitecross Street market food stalls and the busy restaurants in and around Smithfield give the area a feeling of inclusivity and diversity, and the residents and staff of the Golden Lane Estate play no small part in that.

The newest nation to gain visibility in our international community is Japan. It isn’t a country that has held much prominence around here, which is surprising given the number of Japanese banks, insurance companies and financial businesses that thrive in the City. Deeper in the Square Mile and around Shoreditch there is no shortage of four-star restaurants and quick-bite canteens and takeaway outfits such as Itsu and Wagamama. But hereabouts we have Pham Sushi on Whitecross Street, and that’s about it.

So it’s a pleasure to welcome Sway Gallery to 70-72 Old Street in a space formerly occupied by the posh flower shop McQueens. The adverts for Sway make confident claims: “Our aim is to introduce Japanese hidden gems that can add a small extra touch to your everyday life”. Kick-knacks and homewares. It then goes on to boast about its championing of Japanese art and craftsmanship “we feel truly proud of”.

Of its products, my favourite is the kintsugi kit for repairing broken plates (pictured below) and teapots according to the disciplines laid down by a 15th-Century Japanese emperor. It’s a sort of gold-plated decorative welding job, but surprisingly looks quite attractive.

I also like Sway’s exhibition space, which features a range Japanese art but works best when dedicated to a specific style or technique. I am a big fan of colouring in, so to give my efforts a more artistic flavour I swooped on Sway’s cute set of Japanese brush pens in autumn and winter colours. The colours are subtle and the brush tips are resilient enough for both large areas and fine detail. Sway has a metropolitan wealthy city vibe. Under the slogan "bringing Japanese excellence to Europe", it has branches in both London and Paris. An upcoming London exhibition, 'Shapes of Water' combine artworks, artists talks and Japanese woodblock printing workshops (pictured below).

It says a lot about the City of London's cultural landscape that in one small place on the outer edges of the Square Mile live people from practically every country on the planet, and likewise where enterprises of every international flavour can thrive. Workers arrive and leave at the end of every day; residents are the heartbeat of any community, but we are always at our best when we come together.