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Celebrating Sanctuary in Birmingham

From experiencing live music from around the world to sampling food from different cultures or hearing real refugee stories; Refugee Week celebrates the contributions refugees and asylum seekers make to our cities and communities across the UK, as well as raising the awareness of why people seek sanctuary.

Celebrating Sanctuary in Birmingham

Celebrating Sanctuary

Birmingham will be celebrating Refugee Week 2009 with a whole host of activities happening at venues across the city.

The annual Celebrating Sanctuary Festival returns this year with a packed weekend of activities between 12th - 14th June 2009 featuring live music performances, displays and workshops in Birmingham city centre.

Connecting communities

Educational activities

On Friday 12th June primary and secondary schools from across Birmingham are being invited to take part in a day of music, fun and educational activities aimed at teaching young people more about life as a refugee here in the UK.

Victoria and Chamberlain Squares will be transformed into a vibrant open-air event on Saturday 13th June featuring a diverse range of live music, street entertainment and interactive activities for people of all ages.

Daholl Kurdish Ensemble

Music from around the world

The free event will showcase musicians originating from Angola to Albania, Kurdistan to Kazakhstan, across Africa, the Balkans, Asia and the Middle East, demonstrating the rich diversity of talent that have settled here in Birmingham.

Alongside music performances there will be workshops, displays, arts and crafts,  activities for children and food from around the world.

Take a look at picture galleries and video highlights from past Celebrating Sanctuary festivals

Celebrating Sanctuary in Birmingham

The reality behind the headlines

There will also be an opportunity to learn about the realities behind refugee and asylum by wandering through marquees of displays and stalls by refugee community organisations, experience seeking asylum on the Escape to Safety bus, visit Islamic Relief’s mock refugee camp, or simply talk to local refugees and support workers.

Read stories by refugees in Birmingham

Enjoying Celebrating Sanctuary

More Refugee Week events across the region

Other exciting events happening in Birmingham throughout Refugee Week includes a family event at the Botanical Gardens and a series of World Music Club Nights taking place at The Cross in Moseley. See a full list of events below. ALL EVENTS ARE FREE!!!

Connecting communities

BIRMINGHAM EVENTS:

Celebrating Sanctuary Schools Festival

DATE: Fri 12 June
VENUE: Chamberlain and Victoria
TIME: 11 – 3pm

A host of educational, experiential and fun workshops, facilitated by professional artists and educators, will be delivered for school pupils, centred on refugee and asylum issues.

Celebrating Sanctuary Festival

DATE: Sat 13 June
VENUE: Chamberlain and Victoria Squares, Birmingham City Centre
TIME: 12pm – 5pm

Enjoying the activities

A free open-air festival of live music, activities, displays and performances.

Drumming Workshop

DATE: Sat 13 June
VENUE: Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery – Round Room
TIME: 1-4pm ( Drop-in)

Stop by at the Round Room for a fun afternoon of drumming and percussion with African musician Nicky Reid, and enjoy making lots of loud and wonderful music!
Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Family Art Workshop

DATE: Sun 14 June
VENUE Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery – Activity Zone
TIME: 1-4pm (Drop-in)

Celebrating Sanctuary in Birmingham

A relaxing afternoon of painting with Iranian artist Mohsen Keiany, and create a unique masterpiece to take home and display with pride. (Children must be accompanied by an adult)

Refugee Archive and Community Histories Event

DATE: Mon 15 June
VENUE: Birmingham Central Library

Contribute towards the development of an archive about refugees in Birmingham and learn about documenting your community’s history and heritage.

Refugee Week Cultural Celebration

DATE: Thurs 18 June
VENUE: Wardlow Road Refugee Resource Centre, Nechells, B7 4JH
TIME: 12 - 7pm

Performing at Celebrating Sanctuary

An array of cultural activities, fun for children and families, information sharing and cultural awareness. Everyone is welcome to come along and find out more about the centre and about new communities in Birmingham.

Celebrating Sanctuary Family event

DATE: Sat 20 June
VENUE: Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Live music, food and activities for families and children from different backgrounds. Free entry.

Celebrating Sanctuary World Music Club Night

DATE: Fri 26 June
VENUE: The Cross, Alcester Road South, Moseley
TIME: 8:30pm – late

Live music night – bringing together bands and artists from a range of refugee and other communities and creating new performances.

Celebrating Sanctuary in Birmingham

Aston Family Festival

DATE: Sun 28 June
VENUE: Aston Park

Music, exhibitions and activities for families.

Black Country Refugee Week events

Many other parts of the Region will also be holding numerous events during the week. See  a full programme of events taking place across the Walsall, Dudley and Sandwell.

Visit the Refugee Week website for more information.