AUDIENCES will be “inspired and uplifted” as this year’s Refugee Festival Scotland focuses on the role art plays in rebuilding lives, organisers say.
More than 100 events will take place across the country as the annual event returns for 10 days next month, reflecting the growing diversity of the population and the talents of people who have sought refuge here.
The programme, which includes poetry, dance, visual art and public installation, centres around the theme “making art, making home”.
Soizig Carey, producer of Refugee Festival Scotland, said: “The whole point of our festival is about opening up doors and creating opportunities for people from different backgrounds to meet and get to know each other. It’s a really positive celebration of the skills, talents and creativity of people making their homes and rebuilding their lives in Scotland.
“The festival gives audiences the chance to say welcome to people who have recently arrived in Scotland and to be part of a positive movement of friendship and solidarity with people seeking safety here.
“This year’s programme is bursting with creativity and we’re convinced audiences will leave feeling inspired and uplifted.”
Amal, from Syria, was amongst those taking part in the festival launch. She said: “With two kids, it has been difficult to build my life again after leaving everything behind. I was broken when I arrived but I was lucky and got a job at Glasgow University as a research assistant, which has helped connect me with many other people.”
Her compatriot Marwa said: “What makes Scotland special is its people. I have never felt like I am a stranger here. I’m hoping to go into journalism, and I want to be a spokesperson for refugees or a news reporter in my country one day.”
Refugee Festival Scotland runs from June 20-30. Full details are available at www.refugeefestivalscotland.co.uk
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here