News / Bristol Refugee Festival
Bristol’s refugee festival returns for 2021
The annual event that brings Bristol together to celebrate the value and contribution of refugee and asylum seekers returns for 2021.
Bristol Refugee Festival will take place from June 6 to 20 with a mix of online and in-person events.
Beginning with a live launch event on June 6 at the Bristol Beacon which will feature refugee artists, speakers and an announcement of the Bristol Refugee and Asylum Seeker Partnership crowdfunder ‘Solidarity: Support People Seeking Asylum’, raising money for destitute asylum seekers.
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The following two weeks will include events including a magic show, art workshops and book displays.
“Over the last year we have seen how much we need each other and have witnessed a huge spirit of community flourish during the pandemic,” says festival director Jules Olsen.
“So we invite people to continue to reach out to those more vulnerable members of our communities and particularly offer welcome and support to those who have come to the UK seeking safety.”
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2021’s theme, “we cannot walk alone, let’s walk together”. As well as celebrating this through events ranging from a talk on the asylum process; a collaborative art exhibition by the Bristol Refugee Artists Collective and UWE Bristol students, and a film about clothing poverty.
Due to the ongoing pandemic, the festival team have developed two ideas to encourage people to reconnect and join in the festivities by planning their own events.
The first, Walk with Me, encourages people to explore the city on walks using downloadable maps in an initiative from Bridges for Communities developed in collaboration with the Lemon Tree Trust.
The second, Celebrating Sanctuary Local, is a campaign to encourage individuals, families and small groups to celebrate with the festival on World Refugee Day.
On June 20, Bristol Refugee Festival suggests sharing food and recipes holding a film night and running book club – with more ideas on the website.
Ordinarily, celebrations take place in Queen Square. Photo: Bristol Refugee Festival
“Our much-loved event Celebrating Sanctuary in Queen square is on hold for yet another year, so on the weekend of June 19 to 20 we will run a number of small events for refugee and asylum seekers and our partners,” says Danny Vincent, engagement officer for the festival.
“But we would like to encourage people from across Bristol and the South West to join us by holding their own unique celebration with friends, family, neighbours or colleagues.”
The full programme of events will be available on Bristol Refugee Festival website and social media platforms. Bristol Refugee Festival is funded by Bristol City Council and National Lottery Community Fund.
Main photo: Bristol Refugee Festival
Read more: Bristol Refugee Festival returns for 2020
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