We’re delighted to announce that 63 grassroots groups across Scotland have been awarded funding from our Refugee Festival Scotland Small Grants Fund.
Community organisations from Aberdeen to Ayrshire received grants of between £100 and £500 to help cover the cost of running events as part of this year’s festival. Here are just a few of the successful applicants to give you a flavour of what’s to come.
Afghan Heritage
Among the organisations that have been awarded funding is the Afghan Social Club, who will be taking part in Refugee Festival Scotland for the first time. They plan to host an Afghan Heritage evening in Glasgow. The event will give locals an opportunity to meet members of the Afghan community in Scotland, learn about Afghan culture and heritage, and sample some delicious traditional cooking.
All Nations, All Millies
Sewing2gether All Nations, a Paisley based community group supporting refugee women will use their funding to host All Nations, All Millies in partnership with Journeys in Design: Our Linen Stories.
At the heart of this exciting series of events, there will be an exhibition of Millie dolls made by group members. The dolls, representing textile workers from Scotland and around the world, will help capture the legacy of grandmothers, mothers and sisters who have passed their sewing skills down from generation to generation. There will also be a Twilight Talk exploring creative journeys for New Scots, a family friendly workshop and a Paisley Textile Walk.
Cèilidh nan sgeul | The Concert of Stories
On the Isle of Skye, Strath & Sleat Church of Scotland plan to work with refugee families on the island and in neighbouring communities on Stornoway and the mainland on a concert of stories. Locals, incomers and recently arrived refugee families will be invited to share their stories at an evening of music, dancing and food.
Rory MacLeod, who is involved in organising the event said: “The aim is to embrace our new neighbours into the community we share, by weaving their stories and traditions into ours. Gaelic culture includes a rich story-telling tradition, in the context of other creative arts. Hearing stories from other places and learning of their creative arts is instinctively appealing because it is mutually enriching.”
Family Fun Day
Rainbow Muslim Women’s Group will use their grant to run a free Family Fun Day in Falkirk. They hope to bring people from different backgrounds together for a t-shirt painting craft workshop, a talent show and a healthy and nutritious, multicultural dinner.
Còmhla | Together | په ګډه.
Over in Alness, Dingwall and Inverness, The Highlands Supports Refugees are preparing a gathering that will bring communities together to share cultures and stories. Members of local Gaelic and refugee communities from Syria and Afghanistan will be invited to take part in an afternoon of music, food, art and storytelling.
My Story
The Sudanese Community In Edinburgh will use their grant to run a family friendly afternoon of entertainment in the capital. Their event will feature live music, children’s activities and an exhibition showcasing art and storytelling that highlights the journeys of Sudanese refugees and the contribution they make to life in Scotland.
Refugee Festival Scotland 2022 runs from 17-26 June. The full festival programme will be unveiled in May and it looks like this year’s line up might be one of our best yet! We’re looking forward to celebrating with you and sharing the stories of people who have made their lives in Scotland through music, dance, theatre and film to visual art, cookery and conversation.
