Bristol Beacon to host all-day celebration of city’s refugee and asylum seekers

Bristol Beacon is set to host a “unique” all-day celebration of Bristol’s refugee and asylum seeker community.

Taking place on Sunday, January 28, the day promises a blend of music, dance, poetry, puppetry and crafts, culminating in the world-premiere performance of ‘Odyssey’ by Jonathan Dove.

Inside the concert hall’s Bridgehouse venue attendees will encounter a mix of ‘sounds, colours, stories and ideas from around the world” through performances, exhibitions and creative sharings by various groups.

The aim of the day is to celebrate the experiences and creative worlds of those who find sanctuary in our city.

Visitors can expect to see Dovetail Orchestra, YES I Dub Mys.Tree shadow show, plus family craft activities and a chance to delve into a ‘human library’, in which attendees can “speak to a host of fascinating people with stories to tell”.

The day will end with the world premiere performance of semi-staged story in song ‘Odyssey’ in Beacon Hall, telling the story of one refugee fleeing their home to find safety in another country.

Dove said he hoped that performance will allow the audience to empathise with the refugee experience.

“We’re excited to be finally be giving Odyssey its premiere, having commissioned the work in 2016,” he explained.

“The subject matter of the mass movement of people seeking sanctuary is as pertinent now as it has ever been, and Jonathan’s emotional and moving work brings the real stories of those who have made dangerous journeys to seek safety into vivid focus.

“We knew that it was vital that those with lived experience were central to this event, and that’s why we’ve partnered with Bristol’s refugee and asylum seeker community to programme Be Kind Bristol.

“It’s going to be a wonderful celebration of everything this diverse community of people bring to our city, and we hope audiences will come, make new connections and be inspired by everything they experience at Be Kind Bristol.”

Music made a triumphant return to Bristol Beacon thanks to the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra in December – photo: Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra

Speaking about the importance of platforming refugees, MoYah, Afro-fusion hip hop artist and workshop facilitator, said: “As a person from a refugee lived experience it’s been really impactful to me to not only see the voices of other refugees included, but right at the centre of the project, leading and putting forward valuable ideas in the steering group sessions we held, and sharing their vision of how they felt they would like to be represented throughout the project.

“The group has responded extremely positively to the brief of the event and are excited to see their vision come to life.

“It’s also been very inspiring to work with the children from City Academy and May Park Primacy School to see how positively and quickly they’ve been able to create a song that celebrates diverse refugee communities in Bristol.”

Be Kind Bristol takes place from 12-4.30pm at Bristol Beacon and is free and unticketed. Tickets for the performance of Odyssey at 5pm in Beacon Hall cost £10, £20 and £30 including booking fee. For more information and tickets, visit www.bristolbeacon.org/whats-on/be-kind-bristol

Main photo: Bristol Beacon

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