Brighton & Hove Celebrates Refugee Week

A week of events is taking place in the city to mark this year’s Refugee Week, running from June 19 - 25.

Refugee Week is a worldwide celebration of the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary.

This year marks the event’s 25th anniversary with the theme of ‘compassion’.

A spokesperson for the council said:

The theme explores the interconnectedness of people across the world - that nothing happens in isolation and something seemingly ‘far away’ can have an impact on us here.

In a world of ongoing conflicts and crises, it’s more important than ever for us to have compassion not only for our nearest and dearest, or those who we share similarities with, but also those who we perceive as different. We are all similarly different, we all feel pain, fear and suffering, love and hope.    

Through art and cultural activities Refugee Week 2023 hopes to promote a shared understanding of compassion.

Councillor Leslie Pumm, chair of the Equalities, Community Safety & Human Rights Committee said:

“There’s never been a greater need to stand up for the rights of people seeking protection and celebrate all that Refugee Week stands for.  

“Brighton & Hove is a City of Sanctuary, and we are proud of how our city continues to come together to provide welcome and support to people looking for sanctuary, most recently those fleeing persecution and war in Ukraine, Afghanistan and Sudan.

“Even a simple act of kindness can do wonders for someone’s sense of belonging and mental wellbeing.

“We are a city of inclusion, proud of our diversity and united in our compassion for others.”

• Find out how you can help refugees in Brighton & Hove

Brighton & Hove Libraries are 'proud to be a diverse community space where everyone can feel welcome and included and connect with others'.

The ‘Library of Sanctuary’, Jubilee Library, and other libraries in the city have again created a thoughtfully curated programme of events and activities suitable for families and individuals of all ages.

If you’d like to immerse yourself in the topic of refugees and migration, you can find collections of thematic books highlighted in libraries and online display.

This year Brighton & Hove's libraries invite you to join them in showing solidarity by taking part in Simple Acts at Jubilee Library, with events starting on Sunday 18 June.

All events are free to attend. No need to book, just drop in.

Global Music & Spoken Word Event with Best Foot Music

12 noon to 4pm, Saturday 24 June, main hall Jubilee Library

Shared community event featuring poetry and live music from some of Brighton’s finest musicians, plus special guests from London.

Performers include:

• Suna Alan, a Kurdish/Alevi singer based in London
• Jamal & Alaa, a Sussex-based Syrian and Arabic folk duo
• Odi Oquosa, an artist whose work is influenced by his African roots.

The Brighton-based Ukrainian Voices choir, founded in 2022, will share Ukraine’s rich musical heritage – many choir members are refugees who’ve sought safety in the UK.

Events through the week

Simple Acts – Share a message

Monday 19 to Sunday 25 June, Jubilee Library, foyer and main hall

Write, draw, or craft a message of welcome, compassion and hope to add to the library’s ‘Together with Refugees’ display.

Family activities including activity sheets and treasure hunt - Monday 19 to Sunday 25 June, all libraries

Simple Acts - Read a Book, Storytime for pre-school children and their parents or carers

• Monday 19, Tuesday 20, Thursday 22 and Friday 23 June, Jubilee Library
• Monday 19 and Wednesday 21 June, Hove Library

Families are welcome to attend for storytime sessions celebrating diversity and inclusion. All sessions start at 10.15am.

Sunday 18 June

PTAKH Ukraine International Film Festival

Jubilee Library, conference room 2

A day of film curated by the PTAKH Ukraine International Film Festival, established to raise the profile of Ukrainian Cinema in the UK. Ukrainian films, or films from anywhere in the world made by Ukrainians. All films have English subtitles.

• 11.15 to 11.40am - Selection of shorts (PG, some scenes not suitable for younger viewers)
• 11.45am to 1.15pm - Family friendly full-length feature
• 1.30 to 2.30pm - Selection of shorts for adults
• 2.45 to 4.45pm - Full length feature for adults

Monday 19 June

Reach Out for Refugee Week creative workshop with East Side Print

10.30am to 12.30pm, Hove Library

Make folk art inspired paper hands at this creative workshop for adults, led by East Side Print. Suitable for all abilities – everyone welcome.

PTAKH Ukraine International Film Festival

5 to 6.45pm, conference room Jubilee Library

Film evening curated by the PTAKH Ukraine International Film Festival. Documentary short followed by full length feature (PG, some scenes not suitable for younger viewers).

Wednesday 21 June

Simple Acts - Have a Chat, The Network of International Women

10am to 12 noon, community space Jubilee Library

A platform for women from diverse cultures and backgrounds to meet, share experiences and knowledge, and to support one another. Sew, knit, craft, and make friends.

Simple Acts - Silent Gathering

12.15pm, main hall Jubilee Library

Take 2 minutes to reflect on the journeys people take to find sanctuary. Everyone welcome to stand or sit in silence. Bring along an orange paper heart, or collect one on arrival, to show that you believe in a compassionate approach to refugees.

Thursday 22 June

Reach Out for Refugee Week creative workshops with East Side Print 

10.30am to 12.30pm, Whitehawk Library

2.30 to 4.30pm, Jubilee Library

Make folk art inspired paper hands at this creative workshop for adults, led by East Side Print. Suitable for all abilities – everyone welcome.

Story Tree 

10am to 12 noon, Jubilee Library

If you love stories and are a refugee who wants to improve their English, join in for Story Tree. Tea, coffee and biscuits included. Book your place in advance by calling 01273 290800, e-mailing libraries@brighton-hove.gov.uk or asking a member of staff.

Saturday 24 June

Comic Book Workshop with Upside Comics

10 to 11.30am, children’s area Jubilee Library

Informal creative workshop to support reading and creative writing for children and young people. You don't have to be ‘good’ at drawing to make comics! Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult.

Sunday 25 June

Think Simple, Act Big! with Bigfoot Arts Education

11.15am to 12 noon, children’s area Jubilee Library

A presentation for children and families inspired by Little Amal, the 12-foot puppet of a Syrian girl who has become an international symbol of hope.

Exhibitions

Ethnic Minority Achievement Service presents The Healing Classrooms exhibition

Thursday 22 June to Friday 7 July, community space Jubilee Library

Artwork by newly arrived refugee children from Syria, Afghanistan and Ukraine now living in Brighton & Hove. Supported by EMAS teachers as part of the International Rescue Committee Healing Classrooms programme.

SEAS (Socially Engaged Art Salon) presents Mathilda Della Torre - Conversations From Calais

Monday 19 to Saturday 24 June, window gallery Jubilee Library

Conversations From Calais between volunteers and migrants to re-humanise the refugee crisis. More than 260 conversations typed out in 12 different languages, printed as posters and pasted up on walls in 60 cities and 5 different continents.

SEAS presents Anastasia Klymenko

Monday 19 to Saturday 24 June, window gallery Jubilee Library

Digital artist Anastasia Klymenko reflects on her experience of displacement in Ukraine. She creates collages that reflect on trauma but also feature images of hope including motanka, a Ukrainian doll and amulet and the vishivanka, a Ukrainian national blouse with embroidery, where every cross means something.

SEAS presents In the Crossfire – War, Displacement and Refugees

Monday 19 to Saturday 24 June, foyer gallery Jubilee Library

Work by 12 artists with lived experiences of displacement and artists whose main work is socially and politically engaged. Featuring short films, photography, collage and digital works plus an interactive installation.

What’s on in the city

For a full programme of events marking the Refugee Week, visit the Sanctuary on Sea website.

Stories without Borders: A Refugee Week event

6 to 8pm, Friday 23 June, Duke’s at Komedia Picturehouse (screen 1) BN1 1UN

Screening of short creative documentary films and discussion on how long-term displaced populations work and support each other across the world. Free admission. Book your place by e-mailing s.bagree@sussex.ac.uk.