Events to celebrate Refugee Week, marked in UK from June 19 – 25, are taking place across the city, hosted and organised by City of Sanctuary Southampton.
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Refugee Week takes place every year around World Refugee Day on June 20. In the UK, Refugee Week is an umbrella festival, comprising a nationwide programme of arts, cultural and educational events that celebrate the contribution of refugees to the UK and encourage a better understanding between communities.
Stephen Press, Chair of City of Sanctuary Southampton said: “Southampton is proudly a City of Sanctuary – we have welcomed and benefited from people seeking asylum for centuries. We at City of Sanctuary Southampton are proud to be coordinating our City’s activities to recognise Refugee Week. The theme this year is Our Shared Future.”
Events taking place include a concert, film screenings and a RefuTea Party, as well as a Learning Day, Women’s Health Fayre and event to collect donations for refugees locally and in refugee camps. World Stages Now, a local theatre company made up of refugees and asylum seekers, will also be performing their new drama ‘Behind Closed Doors’ for the first time.
And building on awards to two Southampton Schools who achieved “School of Sanctuary” status in Refugee Week 2016, a number of new awards are due to be presented this year.
“Please join in the activities and help make the city more welcoming. Check out the City of Sanctuary Southampton website and Facebook page for more details of what’s on during refugee week,” said Stephen.
Links
Website giving details of what's on over the week
Facebook page