Art, picnics and music are part of refugee fest
People in Stirling can expect a warm welcome at Refugee Festival Scotland next month – and a programme of colourful events showcasing refugee arts and culture.
This year’s festival runs from June 17-26. From live music and dance to art exhibitions, film screenings, football tournaments and family-friendly picnics, the festival has something for everyone.
In a year that’s seen millions of people around the world forced from their homes by conflict and persecution, Refugee Festival Scotland aims to bring people from different backgrounds together to celebrate the many ways refugees contribute to life in Scotland. This year’s theme is storytelling in all its forms – from music, dance, theatre and film to visual art, cookery and conversation.
The diverse programme includes contributions from artists and performers who came to Stirling seeking refugee protection and the communities that have welcomed them.
Scottish Refugee Council chief executive Sabir Zazai said: “Refugee Festival Scotland is an opportunity to celebrate the positive difference that refugees make to our communities and the warm welcome that Scotland has always offered to people seeking sanctuary.
“Now, more than ever, it’s important for us to celebrate diversity and share the stories of people who have made Scotland their home.
“This has been a year of terrible stories. War in Ukraine, unrest in Afghanistan, families stranded and separated by bureaucracy, Rwandan detention centres and people left with no option but to risk their lives on dangerous journeys in a desperate bid to reach a place of safety.
“But there are other, happier stories, and these are the ones that Refugee Festival Scotland aims to tell. Stories of friendship, resilience, hope and new beginnings. We are asking people to please join us for this exciting programme of events, make new friends, have fun, and show the world that Scotland welcomes refugees.”
The festival celebrates the many ways refugees contribute to Scotland’s cultural life by showcasing the food and drink, music and dance, language and art that people bring with them when they settle in Scotland. The line-up brings people from different backgrounds and cultures together to meet, mix and get to know each other better.
Refugee Festival Scotland is produced by Scottish Refugee Council.
Among local highlights are the ‘Between You and Me, What’s a Refugee’ Feast. In collaboration with local refugee families, The Kitchen at 44 CIC is hosting a feast of cultural food to accompany some films and animations being shown by Creative Scotland.
The community meal, taking place in Stirling on Thursday, June 23 from 5-8pm, is open to everyone interested in finding out about the project. Find out more about taking part at creativestirling.org.
Details of the wider 2022 festival programme are now online: refugeefestivalscotland. co.uk
It’s important for us to share the stories of people who have made Scotland their home Sabir Zazai