Refugee Council release
Refugees from more than 10 different countries around the world have united to stage a week-long cultural festival in Birmingham.
The headlining event, to be launched at Centenary Square during a four-day-long celebration dubbed Celebrating Sanctuary, will mark national Refugee Week from June 23 to 29. The seven-day cultural extravaganza was organised by human rights groups in the region, Birmingham City Council and the West Midlands consortium of local authorities.
Juliet Olivo, of the Refugee Council who chaired the steering group of organisations behind the event, said: "Refugees have been living in the West Midlands region for generations. And they have made an enormous contribution to our cultural life - giving us the chance to taste their traditional food, dance, music, theatre, literature and sculpture and so much more.
"Refugee Week is an opportunity for the whole region to celebrate this amazing heritage that has enriched the lives of ordinary West Midlands folk.
"Refugees and asylum seekers representing 11 different nationalities - who fled for their lives and are now settled in this region - have got together to bring Birmingham the cultural event of the year."
The festivities will be launched on June 23 in Centenary Square. Five marquees will house a wealth of activities during a two-day event including a spectacular multi-media interactive exhibition, dance troupes performing in traditional dress and international displays of crafts.
June 25 and 26 are designated children's days at Centenary Square and will include events such as poetry and art workshops led by Birmingham's poet laureate and a well-known local artist, as well as a group of creative trainers. Big Brum Theatre and the Intrepid Theatre groups will also be putting on performances.
Events during the rest of the week will include photographic and art exhibitions, an open event focusing on the experiences and stories of refugees and asylum seekers and further workshops.
Juliet added: "We're particularly pleased to be making such a big splash to mark Refugee Week this year as 2001 is the 50th anniversary of the UN Convention on Refugees.
"Sanctuary from persecution is a basic human right and we should be thankful that living in the West Midlands in England we will probably never need to test this out."
The steering group of organisers consists of the Refugee Council, Refugee Action, Birmingham City Council, West Midlands Consortium, Midlands Refugee Council, British Red Cross, Focus housing association, Ka-ma-ra, a video production and training company, and the Angel housing group.
Anyone who would like more information should contact Juliet on: 0121 622 0914; or Sarah Giles on: 0121 693 9989.
Events for Refugee Week will take place around the country following a high-profile launch of Celebrating Sanctuary in London on Saturday June 23.
Refugee Week marks the historical contribution asylum seekers and refugees have made to cultural life in the UK. It is also an opportunity to celebrate 50 years of the UN Convention on Refugees, the international agreement that gives the right to seek sanctuary to those who are persecuted in their own country. Refugee Week celebrations mark the fundamental human right for an individual to claim asylum.
