Refugee Festival Scotland Events in Glasgow's Southside
The annual, and consistently brilliant Refugee Festival Scotland is in full swing. The theme this year is storytelling and there are so many events to choose from, it’s hard to know where to start. We rounded up some of those we’re most looking forward to in and around Govanhill.
Refugee Festival - left to right - Khaled Qasem, Abdourahmane Mbengue, Oksana Mavrodii, Fatou Gitteh and Shawki AlDubiee - credit Paul Chappells
By Sorana Horsia
The Refugee Festival Scotland is an ode to those who escaped war and persecution to find a safe haven in Scotland, as well as to those who make this country a welcoming place.
“Refugee Festival Scotland is an opportunity to celebrate the positive difference that refugees make to our communities." says Scottish Refugee Council Chief Executive, Sabir Zazai.
From the 17th until the 26th of June, over 100 events will take place to celebrate the contribution of refugees and asylum seekers to the cultural diversity of Scotland.
The festival, a Scottish Refugee Council initiative, will take the Southside of Glasgow by storm, with exhibitions, shows and meet-ups reflecting this year's theme; storytelling. Below are a few we’re most looking forward to. For the full programme, click here.
Letters of Hope
"I would like to tell you how difficult life was for me, but it has become much more easier with your help and compassion" reads a letter written to the city of Glasgow from an Eritrean refugee. Keep an eye out around Queen's Park, in the Southside of Glasgow, for the Letters of Hope written by refugees. A map of the entire open air gallery is available at MILK café, at 452 Victoria Road.
Crafting at Glendale Cafe
Scottish Civic Trust invites all women to share design ideas and traditions. The Crafting at Glendale Cafe event takes place on Tuesday, 21st of June, at The Glendale Women’s Cafe, 423 Shields Road, and lasts for two hours, from 5PM to 7PM. Sign up for free though Eventbrite. For more information email theglendalewomenscafe@gmail.com.
Community Meal - Sharing Food and Stories
The Glasgow Autonomous Space and the Language Exchange are inviting you to a community meal this Tuesday, 21st of June, from 6PM. Bring a dish with a story behind it to share with everyone at the Glasgow Autonomous Space, 53 Kilbirnie Street.
Sound of Refugee Voices Radio Show
Greater Govanhill community magazine is partnering with Radio Buena Vida to produce a radio show that will be presented, created and edited by people with experience in the asylum system. The show will be a fascinating mix of stories interspersed with music selected by participants.
The two-hour broadcast will air on buenavida.co.uk on Wednesday 22 June. Tune in from 6-8 pm. Or listen back on Soundcloud!
Our Past and Beautiful Lives
If you are a woman, join the group of refugee and asylum seeking women from Rights & Choices for a morning event of storytelling and music, entitled Our Past and Beautiful Lives. Come from 10:30AM to 1:30PM, on Thursday, 23rd of June, at Phillies of Shawlands, 1179 Pollokshaws Road. Sign up for free through Eventbrite.
Net Zero Yemeni Community
Discover the links between Scotland and Yemen through an evening of music, dance and traditional food. Organised by the United Yemeni Community in Scotland, the event takes place at the Community Central Halls, 304 Maryhill Rd, on Saturday, 25th of June, from 5PM until 9:30PM. For more information, send a message at yemen.in.scotland@gmail.com.
The Refugee Festival Scotland Football Tournament
The Refugee Festival Scotland Football Tournament might be the most multicultural football game around, with players from over 50 nations. Organised by Glasgow Afghan United, the tournament takes place on Sunday, the 26th of June, from 11AM to 4PM, at the Toryglen Regional Football Centre, 480 Prospecthill Road. Everyone is welcome to attend for free.
New Scots Forest Bathing Session.
After a long week, clean your senses and reconnect with nature at the New Scots Forest Bathing Session. Open Aye, with the support of Scottish Forestry, invites twelve people on a relaxing walk on Sunday, 26th of June, starting from Pollok Country Park at 11AM. To participate, contact the organisation at openaye@gmail.com.
Pedal Power
In appreciation to those that make Scotland a welcoming place, Bikes for Refugees put up the photography exhibition Pedal Power. It presents the portraits of volunteers that helped repair and distribute over 1,600 bikes to refugees and asylum seekers. The exhibition can be visited at The Glad Cafe, 1006A Pollokshaws Road, for the duration of the festival.
By offering a platform to the people who found a new home within the community, The Refugee Festival Scotland is the perfect moment to appreciate the diversity of Glasgow's Southside.