Whatever the weather, you can expect a warm welcome at Refugee Festival Scotland.
This year’s festival runs from 14 June – 20 June with a packed programme of online and outdoor events showcasing refugee arts and culture.
From live music and dance to online art exhibitions, film screenings, talks, workshops, gaming marathons and family-friendly picnics, the fantastic line-up has something for everyone.
Celebrations will be taking place across Scotland, from the Borders to the Highlands and Islands. The festival is open to everyone with an interest in finding out about the wide range of communities who have settled in Scotland.
Maryhill Integration Network (MIN) is just one of many groups and organisations taking part.
MIN Director, Remzije Zeka Sherifi said: “Refugee Festival Scotland is an opportunity to celebrate the richness of diverse cultures that New Scots bring to Scotland’s artistic landscape and cultural life. It provides our members with a platform to share their art, ideas and creativity. We can’t wait to see you all for this year’s celebrations and to share the sights, sounds and colours of the festival.”
Refugee Festival Scotland was cancelled in 2020, due to Covid-19, but we’re delighted to be back!
This year’s festival will focus on helping communities to reconnect and build bonds of friendship after months kept apart by the pandemic. The line-up aims to bring people from different backgrounds and cultures together to meet, mix and get to know each other better.
Our Chief Executive Sabir Zazai said: “This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Refugee Convention, a UN treaty that defends the rights of refugees. In these challenging and uncertain times, coming together in solidarity and support for Scotland’s refugee communities has never been more important.
“So, please join our colourful, diverse and vibrant programme of events to make new friends, extend a hand of friendship to New Scots and celebrate the positive contribution that refugees make to life in Scotland.”
The festival celebrates the many ways that 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 seek safety in Scotland.
Take a look at this year’s fantastic line up.
More events are coming soon, so keep checking in to see what’s on.
