Refugee Week Celebrations Across Brighton And Hove

A number of online events are taking place across Brighton and Hov to mark Refugee Week (15-20) and celebrate the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees.

Founded in 1998 and held every year around, Refugee Week aims to help to connect communities through arts, cultural and educational events, and promote a culture of welcome.

As a City of Sanctuary, Brighton & Hove has made an ongoing commitment to offer sanctuary to refugees and asylum seekers.

The local authority says it will continue to participate in resettlement schemes that bring some of the world’s most vulnerable people to the UK.

What’s going on?

Libraries have teamed up with New Writing South and Book Nook to run the ‘Flash Fiction Competition’ which is free to enter.

Judges are looking for short works of fiction based on the theme of this year’s celebrations – ‘Imagine’.

Stories must be 50 words maximum and is open to all ages in categories for under 12s, under 18s and adults.

Email your entries along with your name, age (if under 18) and contact details to libraries@brighton-hove.gov.uk by 5pm on Saturday 20 June.

The winners and two runners up in each category will be announced in July.

There’s also a range of online events including comedy, music, interactive talks and the ‘Message in a bottle’ virtual exhibition.

For a full list of all that's on offer, visit Sanctuary on Sea’s website.

Opportunity to celebrate

Councillor Amanda Grimshaw, speaking for Brighton & Hove City Council, said:

 “Refugee Week gives us an opportunity to celebrate the resilience, determination and skills brought to the city by those arriving here after long dangerous journeys.  

“We have all learnt something about what it’s like to be separated from loved ones and live in an uncertain world over the last few weeks. This is just a taste of what millions of refugees experience every day. 

“At the same time, we need to recognise that the pandemic has revealed substantial inequalities locally and internationally. The consequences of Covid-19 are taking a huge toll on refugee communities worldwide. 

“Local groups have been working very hard to ensure that refugees in the city are given information and support, and I’d like to thank everyone involved in that effort.”

Richard Williams, Chair of Sanctuary on Sea, said:

“Every year in Refugee Week we celebrate together the contributions, creativity and resilience of people who seek sanctuary in our city. 

“This year is both the same, and profoundly different. Today we find ourselves amid a global pandemic, where people of every nationality, race and religion are all facing a common threat that nobody could foresee, and which has changed the way in which we interact with one another.

“Our theme of 'imagine' this year is apt, as these unprecedented times have called for unprecedented creativity to find a way to celebrate while keeping safe, to come together while being apart. 

“We have found different ways of connecting people inside our city and far beyond. We hope that you will join us at dozens of online events to laugh, cry and be inspired, in an imagined world where everyone feels safe and welcome and can realise their dreams.”