May 31, 2018
Your invitation to Refugee Week’s 20th birthday party
On 18-24 June 2018 Refugee Week is marking its 20th birthday! To celebrate they’re holding a euphoric birthday party that will happen everywhere - from theatres and museums to schools, parks and living rooms. And the best news? Everyone’s invited!
What exactly is Refugee week?
Refugee Week takes place every year across the world in the week around World Refugee Day on the 20 June. In the UK, Refugee Week is a nationwide programme of arts, cultural and educational events that celebrate the contribution of refugees to the UK, and encourages a better understanding between communities. It’s an important opportunity for asylum seekers and refugees to be seen, listened to and valued, and to facilitate positive encounters in order to encourage greater understanding and overcome hostility.
Let’s Celebrate
Gil Mualem-Doron
‘New Union Flag’ is an alternative flag for the UK, one which acknowledges and celebrates the communities that contributed to the uk’s cultural legacy and who live here today. Re-created with fabric designs from all over the world the new union flag transforms the traditional union jack to a dynamic and celebrated on-going performance of diversity.
Check out more of Gil Mualem-Doron’s work here.
Alketa Xhafa-Mripa
‘I believe that art can make the issue of refugees visible, in a way that is understood by all, regardless of faith, nationality or language. Where language fails, art can break through.’
‘Refugees Welcome’, commissioned by Counterpoint Arts, seeks to recreate the welcoming feeling refugee activist and activist Alketa herself experienced when she was new to the UK.
You can see more of her work here.
Woven Gold
Woven Gold are a choir of refugees and asylum seekers from around the world. With singers from Congo and Iran, to Pakistan, Kurdistan and Uganda, the diverse range of cultures contribute to the amazing energy of the choir.
Hamsa Mounif
Hamsa was a singer with the Syrian National Orchestra before coming to the UK. She now sings with the Orchestra of Syrian musicians as part of Damon Albarn's Africa Express.
Listen to her stunning vocals at this FREE performance at the V&A.
*Fancy seeing some of Gil Mualem-Doron’s art – head to our scoop shop in Soho to check out the beautiful mural he created there!
How can I get involved?
Join tens of thousands of people across the country who celebrate Refugee Week each year. There’s many ways to join the party:
Host a film night
Gather some friends or people in your community and enjoy a free viewing of 8 Borders 8 Days – a deeply touching film by Amanda Bailly that follows the journey of a woman from Syria called Sham as she takes her two children across Europe to find a place to rebuild their lives.
Check out the trailer above and email benjerryfilmnight@gmail.com to gain access to the full film.
Attend an Event
From films, to theatre, to exhibitions, this handy tool helps you find your local refugee week event.
Overwhelmed by choice? As a starter for 10, check out spoken word artist Mohammed Yahya performing with artist and activist Lowkey or enjoy a witty performance of Borderline 2 at Migration Matters.
So what are you waiting for? Grab a spoon and dig in!
Simple Acts
These are exactly what they say on tub - simple things that everyone can do to show support for refugees, find out more about refugee experiences and make new connections in their communities.
Anyone can take part in Simple Acts. You could do a Simple Act at your school, workplace, place of worship, arts organisation, with a community group, friends, neighbours or by yourself. The 20 acts – one for each year of refugee week – range from sending a card, to watching a film, to sharing a story. Find a simple act here and join in with making our world more generous, welcoming and connected.
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