refugee week scotland 2013 brochure

A festival for everyone

17 – 23 June 2013

Refugee Week Scotland2013

Thank you to all our Refugee Week Scotland 2013 supporters

Photography

Cover & Stories of Heritage photography

by Simon Murphy /simonmurphyphotographer.com

Design

D8 / weared8.com

Refugee Week Scotland is brought to you by Scottish Refugee Council

scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk

Scottish Refugee Council receives financial and

in-kind support from a range of funders and

supporters that play a vital role in making sure

Refugee Week Scotland continues to go from

strength to strength each year. We would like

to thank them all for their invaluable support.

We would also like to thank all of the organisations

who participate in the Refugee Week Scotland

programme.

Scottish Refugee Council is an independent

charity dedicated to providing advice and

information for people who have fled horrific

situations around the world. We have been

campaigning for political change and raising

awareness about issues that affect refugees

since 1985.

Support Our Work

Help Scottish Refugee Council give refugees

and asylum seekers the support they need and

deserve – make a donation today.

Text RFGE34 followed by the amount to 70070.

Visit scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk/donate or

facebook.com/scottishrefugeecouncil

Funder Credits

refugeeweekscotland.com

Credits & Thanks 2What Does Heritage Mean to You? 4Welcome 5Events Diary 6Special Events – Concerts, Comedy, Media Awards 8Theatre & Performance 14Visual Art 20Film 22Community Celebrations 28Literature 34Around Town 35Discussion 38Schools 39Workshops 39Home Truths – Some Facts About Refugees 41 Stories of Heritage 12, 18, 26, 36

Contents

What does heritage mean

to you?


DIVING FOR PEARLSIMAGE: SUZI SIMPSON

“Heritage is about what the past leaves us: the important things – the values, the objects, experiences and learning that is really precious and helps us shape the here and now.”

Isabel (Scotland)

“For me, heritage is about language. When I first came here I had very little English, but now I’m studying and it is getting better.”

Muhamad (Rwanda – Uganda – Glasgow)

“When I was a little boy growing up back home, my Dad would take me to show me special historical places, to learn what people from the past were doing. Now when I visit historical places here, like museums, it reminds me to feel happy because I remember home and my Dad.”

(Anonymous)

“Heritage is what we’ve inherited from our family and community. It’s also about customs and traditions of the place we have come from.”

Teddy (Uganda)

“Heritage is our past; it’s what we must protect in order to know who we are and where we’re coming from. It is very important not only for ourselves but for future generations.”

Alicia (Granada, Spain)

Heritage

This year, Refugee Week Scotland is celebrating

the diverse cultures and heritage that make Scotland

the place it is today.

Heritage is not just a way of remembering and

celebrating the past, it is also part of the present

and the future we are building.

Many of the artists, organisations and communities

involved in this year’s Refugee Week Scotland

have taken heritage as their theme, from events

that highlight the importance of togetherness

and commonality through music, dance and food

to those that celebrate the unique and surprising

contributions of new Scots to our communities.

We’re delighted to open the festival with our second

Refugee Week Scotland Opening Concert at the

Old Fruitmarket, featuring the incredible Admiral

Fallow, the award-winning Karine Polwart and

former member of Arab Strap, the brilliant Malcolm

Middleton. Funds raised will go to Scottish Refugee

Council and British Red Cross to support our work

with refugees in Scotland.

We’re excited to bring you the première of AJ

Taudevin’s new play, Some Other Mother, touring

nationally as part of Refugee Week Scotland.

The Our Glasgow and Scottish Natural Heritage’s

Open Aye for Natural Scotland exhibitions showcase

beautiful photographs taken by young refugees.

Following the success of community theatre and

music production Here We Stay at the Citizens

Theatre in November 2012, we are thrilled to present

songs and key moments from this evocative

production performed by a global community

chorus and launch an insightful documentary film

of the project.

A festival for everyone

Refugee Week Scotland is most of all about having

fun. With over one hundred arts and cultural events

happening all across Scotland there is something for

everyone, so take a peek inside and see what takes

your fancy.

Suzi Simpson, Arts & Cultural Development Officer,

Scottish Refugee Council

Welcome to Refugee Week Scotland 2013

Find out more

Visit refugeeweekscotland.com

Follow us on facebook.com/RefugeeWeekScotland

or twitter.com/ScotRefCouncil.

5Welcome

Events Diary

Around Town

Sat 18 May, 1 – 3pm Future Memory in Red Road Alive & Kicking, Red Road Page 35

Sun 16 – Thurs 20 June VariousSir James Glasgow Pub QuizzesVarious Page 35

Mon 17 – Sat 22 JuneThe Arches Café Bar Take-overThe ArchesPage 35

Mon 17 June, 7:30 – 11:30pm Wasasa Comedy Night SpecialThe Stand Comedy ClubPage 35

Thu 20 June, 7:30pmMiddle Eastern Food NightEarthy Food & GoodsPage 35

Thu 20 June, 7:30pm til lateDiving for Pearls Gig NightThe Grand Ole OpreyPage 35

Community Celebrations

Sat 15 June, 7 – 11pmAlba Asia CeilidhSt James R C ChurchPage 29

Sat 15 June, Midday – 9pmDiving for Pearls LaunchCelebrationPearce InstitutePage 29

Sat 15 June, Midday – 3pmThe Big LunchKennishead CommunityHall GroundsPage 29

Sat 15 June, 2 – 6pmREEM Cultural Celebration14 Wellmeadow StreetPage 29

Tue 18 June 12:30 – 2:30pmHeritage in GovanhillGovanhill Free ChurchPage 29

Tue 18 June, 6 – 8pmHome from HomeLINKES Community RoomsPage 29

Wed 19 JuneMidday – 3pmY Women’s Social Group: Our HeritageYWCA Family LearningCentrePage 30

Wed 19 June 6:30 – 8:30pmGivin’ It Laldie & Bridging the Gap’s Movin’ On UpGorbals Parish ChurchPage 30

Thu 20 June 11:30am – 2:30pmInternational Heritage Journeys CelebrationKATS, Sighthill Community CentrePage 30

Thu 20 June Midday – 3pmCommunity Garden LaunchMaryhill Community CentrePage 30

Sat 22 June, 3 – 7pmBajuni Community’s Different Cultures, Different TastesKATS, Sighthill Community CentrePage 31

Sat 22 June, 2 – 4pmGuardianship CelebrationGorbals Parish ChurchPage 31

Sat 22 June, 10am – 5pmVisit Loch Katrine with CAMASSLoch KatrinePage 30

Sat 22 June, 11am – 3pmHere Today, Plant Migration: A Guided TourRoyal Botanic Gardens, EdinburghPage 31

Sat 22 June, 2 – 4pmOnce Upon a Time in KingswayThe Whiteinch CentrePage 31

Sat 22 June, Midday – 4pmDar Al-Falaah’s Amal (Hope)Hillhead High SchoolPage 31

Sat 22 June, 1 – 3pmHeritage of the Framework for Dialogue (FfDs) GroupsGarnethill Multicultural CentrePage 31

Sat 22 June, Midday – 4pmDay of Stories at Hidden GardensThe Hidden Gardens, TramwayPage 32

Sat 22 June, Midday – 6pmIgbo Welfare Union’s Reclaiming Our HeritagePollok Country ParkPage 32

Sat 22 June, 3 – 6pmIsaro’s Diversity SocialSkypoint Community CentrePage 32

Sat 22 June, 11am – 4pmGovan Gets a Taste of Africa with KaribuThe Pearce InstitutePage 32

Sat 22 June, 11am – 4.30pmPollokshaws Community CarnivalGreenbank ParkPage 32

Sat 22 June, 5 – 11:30pmSudanese Community ‘Wedding Day’Anderston & Kelvingrove ChurchPage 33

Sat 22 June, 11am – 6pmVisit Loch Lomond & Neighbours BBQLoch LomondPage 33

Sun 23 June, 10amRefugee Week Scotland Football TournamentPowerleaguePage 33

Sat 29 June, 1pm onwardsGambia’s Cultural HeritageAfrican & Caribbean CentrePage 33

Sat 29 June, 7pmLGBT Unity’s GaylidhUniversity of Strathclyde Student’s AssociationPage 33

Discussion

Wed 12 June, 2 – 5pmGRAMNet Research Open DayUniversity of GlasgowPage 38

Tue 18 June, 2 – 4pmSelf Care & Researching with Refugees & Asylum SeekersUniversity of GlasgowPage 38

Thu 20 June Midday – 2pmGlasgow’s Housing HeritageRoystonhill Recreation CentrePage 38

Glasgow events Events across Scotland

7Events Diary

Film

Fri 14 – Sat 22 June, VariousMaking It HomeVariousPage 22

Tue 18 June, 6pmWhose Story?Glasgow Film TheatrePage 23

Tue 18 June, 7pmAfrica UnitedPaisley Arts CentrePage 23

Wed 19 June, 6pmMare ChiusoCentre for Contemporary ArtsPage 23

Fri 21 June, 3:45pmSpirited AwayGarnethill MulticulturalCentrePage 24

Fri 21 June, 7:30pmThe Man Who Fell To EarthGarnethill MulticulturalCentrePage 24

Sat 22 June, 11:30amLife of Pi 3DGlasgow Film TheatrePage 25

Sat 22 JuneWords : WallsSolas Festival, The Bieldat BlackruthvenPage 25

Literature

Wed 19 Jun, 7 – 9pmCafé Voices: Refugee SpiritScottish Storytelling CentrePage 34

Thu 20 June, 6 – 7pmFact v Fiction with Karen CampbellMitchell LibraryPage 34

Fri 21 June, 7pmMaking It Home Poetry EventScottish Storytelling CentrePage 34

Schools

Throughout MaySimple ActsGLOW online portalPage 39

Special Events

Mon 17 June, 6pmRefugee Week Scotland LaunchTron Theatre Page 10

Mon 17 June, 8pmRefugee Week Scotland Opening ConcertOld Fruitmarket, GlasgowPage 8

Fri 21 June, 6pmRefugee Week ScotlandMedia AwardsTron TheatrePage 11

Fri 21 June, 8.15pmRefugee Week ComedyNightTron Theatre Page 10

Sat 22 June, 8.15pmRefugee Week Scotland Heritage FinaleTron TheatrePage 11

Sat 22 June, 10pmRefugee Week Scotland Closing PartyStereoPage 11

Theatre & Performance

Thu 6 – Thu 27 JuneVariousSome Other MotherTouring nationallyPage 14

Fri 14 & Sat 15 June, 6:15pmGritTron TheatrePage 16

Tue 18 June, 7:45pmNo LogoTron TheatrePage 15

Tue 18 – Thu 20 June4pmRumpelstiltskinToonspeakPage 17

Wed 19 & Thu 20 June7:45pmHere We StayTron TheatrePage 15

Tue 18 & Wed 19 June6:15pmMy Friend SelmaTron TheatrePage 16

Fri 21 & Sat 22 June6pmBorder ControlTron TheatrePage 17

Sun 23 June, 6pmHome for HeritageGlasgow Theatre ActorsCentrePage 17

VariousLajee Dance TourGlasgow, Perth, DundeePage 17

Visual Arts

Until February 2014Red Road: Past, Present, FuturePeople’s Palace & Winter GardensPage 21

May – JulySNH Open Aye for Natural ScotlandKelvingrove Art Gallery & MuseumPage 20

Tues 4 – Sun 30 JuneSpiritPaisley Arts CentrePage 20

Sat 15 & Sun 16 JuneLiving in the Sky (1993-2013)Glasgow Mela, Kelvingrove ParkPage 20

Mon 17 – Sat 22 JuneOur GlasgowMitchell LibraryPage 21

Mon 17 – Sat 22 JunePicture Windows for Refugee Week ScotlandVarious locations, GlasgowPage 21

Mon 17 – Sat 22 JuneStitching ContinentsHillhead LibraryPage 21

Workshops & Participation

Fri 7 June, 3 – 5pmCreative Writing Master-class with National Theatre of ScotlandScottish Refugee CouncilPage 39

Fri 14 – Sat 22 June 12:30 – 2:30pmRefugee Week Scotland Festival LoungeTron TheatrePage 39

Sat 22 June 10:30am – 12:30pmInvented SpacesGallery of Modern ArtPage 40

Sat 22 June, 10:30amImmigration in Song & StoryScottish Storytelling CentrePage 40

Sun 23 June, 11am – 4pmDraw, Create & FlourishSt Mungo’s Museum of Religious Life & ArtPage 40

“The evening had a sense of jubilation... it was a joy to watch. ”

Mon 17 June, 8pm Old Fruitmarket, Candleriggs,

Glasgow, G1 1NQ

Standing. Ages 16+

£16 (£13 balcony only)

Box Office: 0141 353 8000

glasgowconcerthalls.com

Following the success of our

sell-out concert in 2012, Refugee

Week Scotland once again opens

the festival with what promises to

be a wonderfully uplifting musical

celebration of the rich and eclectic

mix of people and cultures in

Scotland today.

Glasgow-based ensemble Admiral Fallow, “a band headed for the top” (Sunday Times), headline

with a mix of songs from their

acclaimed album Boots Met My Face and recent collection of

high-spirited acoustica Tree Bursts in Snow.

Award-winning folk songstress

Karine Polwart, “one of the finest singer-songwriters in Britain” (The Guardian), performs her

enduring melodies with lyrics that

address humanity in all its many

guises, accompanied by her trio

of musicians.

The brilliant Malcolm Middleton,

one time guitarist with Arab Strap,

captain of the good ship Human Don’t Be Angry and maker of 5

top notch solo albums, opens the

evening performing songs from his

solo catalogue so make sure you

arrive early.

The evening will compered by

award-winning and critically

acclaimed writer and performer

Alan Bissett.

Special Events

Scottish Refugee Council & British Red Cross present

Refugee Week Scotland Opening Concert 2013

IMAGE: STEPHANIE GIBSON

admiralfallow.com karinepolwart.com malcolmmiddleton.co.uk alanbissett.com

(The Scotsman on

Refugee Week Scotland

Opening Concert 2012)

(The Herald on


Opening Concert 2012)

Funds raised will go to Scottish Refugee Council and British Red Cross

to support our work with refugees in Scotland


9Special Events

KARINE POLWARTMALCOLM MIDDLETON

ADMIRAL FALLOW


Refugee Week Scotland Launch

Special Events

Mon 17 June, 6pm Tron Theatre, 63 Trongate,

Glasgow, G1 5HB

Invitation only, please contact

[email protected]

if you would like to attend

This signature festival event launches

Refugee Week Scotland with highlights

of the week ahead, including sneak

peek previews, music performances

and keynote speeches.

British Red Cross Refugee Week Comedy Night

In association with the Scottish Comedy Agency

& the Stand Comedy Club

Fri 21 June, 8:15pm Tron Theatre, 63 Trongate, Glasgow, G1 5HB

£16 (£12)

Box Office: 0141 552 4267 / tron.co.uk

Join us for the seventh British Red Cross Refugee Week

Comedy Night – an evening of first class stand-up comedy

brought to you by the world’s largest humanitarian

organisation.

Your award-winning host, the feisty and funny Susan Calman,

will be sure to keep you entertained throughout the evening.

Susan will be joined by the dynamic Dave Fulton, who busts

the myth that Americans don’t have a sense of irony, alongside

Tom Stade, our Canadian cousin, who will thrill you with his

charming and magnetic storytelling.

And this is just for starters – the full line up is still to be

confirmed but you can be sure to expect more big names

and even bigger laughs.

TOM STADESUSAN CALMAN

DAVE FULTON


11Special Events

British Red Cross, Scottish Refugee

Council & the National Union of

Journalists present

Refugee Week Scotland Media Awards

Fri 21 June, 6pm Tron Theatre, 63 Trongate,

Glasgow, G1 5HB

FREE but ticketed

Box Office: 0141 552 4267

This annual fixture in the Refugee

Week Scotland programme

awards exceptional and fair

reporting of asylum and refugee

issues in the Scottish media.

As part of the event, Actors for Human Rights will perform

iceandfire’s Asylum Monologues,

first-hand accounts of the UK’s

asylum system in the words of

people who have experienced it.

iceandfire.co.uk

Refugee Week Scotland Closing PartyIn association with Scottish Refugee

Council, Scottish Music Centre & Stereo

Sat 22 June, 10pm til late Stereo, 20 Renfield Lane,

Glasgow, G2 6PH

FREE

Celebrate the week’s events with

a party to remember at Stereo,

featuring a bumper line-up of

local hip-hop artists and singer

song-writers including Patricia Panther, Black Bros, Gody, Cora Bissett, Jethro Kinavuidi and Amir Mohammadi. The party continues

with a set from Philanthrobeat’s

resident DJs.

Scottish Refugee Council presents

Refugee Week Scotland Heritage Finale

Sat 22 June, 8:15pm Tron Theatre, 63 Trongate,

Glasgow, G1 5HB

£8 (£6)

Box Office: 0141 552 4267

Refugee Week Scotland closes

with a vibrant and colourful finale

of community music and dance acts.

Programme includes: an extract

of Maryhill Integration Network

and Barrowland Ballet’s Breakthrough, a new dance and

theatre piece, featuring live music

and professional and community

dancers that reflects experiences

of coming to a new place; Colours of Life by Albscott, a breathtaking

collection of folk dances performed

by women from Kosovo, Albania,

Iran, Lithuania, Tanzania, Portugal,

Germany, Ireland and Scotland;

a showcase of traditional and

contemporary costumes hand-

made by the Mother Teresa Women’s Group.

All this plus a special performance

from the award winning Gorbals Youth Brass Band; and songs from

Voicebeat community choir.

REFUGEE WEEK SCOTLAND HERITAGE FINALE


Adam’s Story

Being from Egypt I’ve always felt quite proud of

my heritage. It’s one of the oldest civilisations in

the world. When I tell people where I’m from they

think of the pyramids and the pharaohs and they

are fascinated by the thought that my heritage is

in some way tied to that.

But that was a very different time – a different place.

Now the cities in Egypt – like Alexandria where I’m

from – never sleep. They are surging with energy

24 hours a day. Cities here are so quiet at night in

comparison.

For me, growing up as a transsexual in modern

Egypt, it felt as if I was not a real person. People

were just not aware of it – they didn’t know that

such a thing existed. I thought I was probably the

only person in the world who had ever felt this way.

When I discovered that I was not, it felt incredible.

I was part of a community, with its own history and

heritage. The realisation that I was able to transition

and become the person I really am was amazing,

something I’d always thought was impossible.

However it was still not possible in Egypt. I was

persecuted and my life was threatened so I fled to

the UK. I fought to get my refugee status and then I

felt like all my energy was gone. I completely isolated

myself – I hardly left the house and I didn’t engage

with people. I felt like I needed time to restart myself.

I heard about Hear We Stay at the right time – I knew

I needed to get back into the world and start meeting

people. I thought I’d go and see what it was like and

I loved it. Through Here We Stay I started to talk to

people, to share songs and stories, to laugh. I actually

see it as a life-saving opportunity.

The people from Here We Stay have become friends

and that makes me feel connected to Scotland. I’m

finding out about Scottish heritage too. I feel like

there is nothing I can’t do here and that feeling is a

powerful and a beautiful thing.

Adam is performing in Here We Stay, which tells

the stories of refugees and local Scots through

song, spoken word, live music and film, at the Tron

Theatre, 19 – 20 June at 7:45pm (see page 15)

Heritage is important to me because it

helps me understand who I am

Adam Kashmiry, Eygpt

Touring nationally as part of


Thu 6 June (Preview)

Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy onfife.com

Fri 7 & Sat 8 June Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh traverse.co.uk

Wed 12 June Macrobert, Stirling

macrobert.org

Wed 19 June Catstrand, New Galloway catstrand.com

Thu 20 June Paisley Arts Centre boxoffice.renfrewshire.gov.uk

Sat 22 June Falkirk Town Hall falkirkcommunitytrust.org

Sun 23 June Solas Festival, The Bield at Blackruthven, Perth

solasfestival.co.uk/box-office

Tue 25 June Eden Court, Inverness

eden-court.co.uk

Thu 27 June Mull Theatre

mulltheatre.com


“The emotional impact is shattering and beautifully conveyed. ”

Some Other MotherPresented in association with Scottish Refugee Council

& Tron Theatre, supported by Stellar Quines & On at Fife

By AJ Taudevin

Directed by Catrin Evans

Fri 14 & Sat 15 June, 7:45pm. Ages 14+ £15 (£12)

Tron Theatre, 63 Trongate, Glasgow, G1 5HB


High up in a Glasgow tower block, ten-year old Star and

her mother await the outcome of their claim for asylum.

As Mama’s mind fragments under the pressure of their

unknown future, Star constructs a poetic and fantastical

world of her own.

Programmed at the heart of Refugee Week Scotland, Some Other Mother is a story of loss and survival which explores the

traumatising impact of the asylum system, regardless of the

outcome.

Supported by Creative Scotland and Robin’s Fund.

(The Scotsman, on Some Other

Mother’s work-in-progress)

15Theatre & Performance

Ignite Theatre presents

No Logo Devised by Ignite Theatre’s Junior Company

Scripted by Aileen Ritchie

Tue 18 June, 7:45pm £6 (£3)



A child arrives in Scotland. Strange land, strange

language and a culture obsessed with brands –

what you wear rather than who you are.

Inspired by an idea from company member

Ngqabutho Mpofu, Ignite’s Juniors bring you a

challenging and uplifting comedy about growing

up and the labels that are put on you.

Scottish Refugee Council &

Citizens Theatre present

Here We StayDirected by Elly Goodman & Neil Packham,

Music Composed by Matthew Brown

Wed 19 & Thu 20 June, 7:45pm £6 (£3)



Following the success of community theatre and

music production Here We Stay at the Citizens

Theatre in November 2012, experience a collection

of songs and key moments from this evocative

and moving production, performed by a global

community chorus; and celebrate the launch of a

powerful and insightful documentary of the project

created by refugee participants supported by

Urbancroft Films.

This event provides a unique opportunity to hear the

reflections of those seeking refuge in Glasgow today

and celebrates the rich and diverse life stories of

refugees and local residents in Glasgow.

Supported by Creative Scotland,

the Craignish and Russell Trusts

“So charged with energy and so rich in its variety, that it fairly takes the breath away… the music soars and sings. ”

(The Scotsman, on Here We Stay)


Tortoise in a Nutshell presents

Grit

Fri 14 & Sat 15 June, 6:15pm £10 (£7.50)



Amy pores over the memories of her late father; a

war photographer, journeying into his past working

in conflict zones across the globe.

Examining the stories behind the lens, three

performers conjure up dazzling images with

cardboard, sand and shadow. The piece is a poignant

study inspired by real experiences of children and

young people in worlds of conflict.

Grit blends puppetry, projection and object

manipulation to create an intimate and engaging

piece of visual theatre.

Tortoise in a Nutshell are an Edinburgh based visual

theatre company aiming to create work that ignites

the imagination.

tortoiseinanutshell.com

Terra Incognita presents

My Friend Selma (work-in-progress)

Tue 18 & Wed 19 June, 6:15pm £3



“When I was seven years old, my dad set up a charity

to help people in danger escape the war in Bosnia.

Fifty Bosnians arrived in big coaches. We moved into

an old boarding school with these refugees, to help

them settle in. We lived there for four months. It was

brilliant – there was a playground in my front garden,

we had lots of visitors, people were always feeding

me and I learnt to ride a bike! But the best thing

about living there was meeting my friend Selma.”

Terra Incognita presents a development sharing

of their new production for 2014.

Victoria Beesley shares her own memories of living

in an old boarding school in Leeds with fifty refugees

and some of the stories of the refugees she lived with.

terraincognita.org.uk

“A truly striking and accomplished piece of visual theatre”(Total Theatre)

CummunAct presents

Home for Heritage

Sun 23 June, 6pm Glasgow Theatre & Arts Collective

(GTAC), 7 Water Row, Govan,

Glasgow, G51 3UW

FREE workshops will take place

from 10am – 4pm, Mon 17 – Sun

23 June. To attend contact

[email protected]

Home for Heritage is a culmination

of theatre and performance

workshops held throughout

Refugee Week Scotland exploring

heritage and cultural identity.

Performance is followed by

discussion.

The Lajee Centre presents

Lajee Dance Tour

Dundee, Glasgow & Perth. For more details from the end of April visit lajeeculturaltour.wordpress.com

16 young people from Aida

Refugee Camp, Palestine will

visit Scotland this Refugee Week

Scotland. They will perform

traditional Dabka dancing, exhibit

award-winning photography work,

and screen films. This diverse and

engaging programme highlights

Palestinian culture and heritage,

and offers an insight into the work

and activities of the Lajee Centre.

The tour members are young

active artists and dancers aged

between 15 to 20 years old.

Curveball Collective presents

Rumpelstiltskin

18, 19 & 20 June, 4pm Toonspeak Young People’s

Theatre, 221 Millburn Street,

Glasgow, G21 2HL

Donations welcome

Box Office: 0141 552 0234

[email protected]

Oral storytelling is a tradition that

unites communities across the

world. People of all generations

share their tales through the years

to provoke, teach and excite the

human spirit.

Join us on a magical adventure of

storytelling, puppetry and physical

theatre as we journey through

this classical Grimms fairy tale.

Suitable for all the family.

A Moment’s Peace Theatre

Company presents

Border Control: Heritagein association with GRAMNet and


Fri 21 & Sat 22 June, 6pm £5

Tron Theatre, 63 Trongate,

Glasgow, G1 5HB

Box Office: 0141 552 4267

tron.co.uk

After its successful launch in

October 2012, Border Control is back with two nights of new

performance work and writing

exploring the visible and invisible

borders we create, followed

by a discussion.

This time we will be asking artists

to explore how our relationships

with borders are impacted and/

or defined by our heritage.

What do you choose to bring

with you? And what do you leave

behind?

“I love that the work is a stimulus

for political and social discussion,

rather than solely about the

development of a piece of theatre.

For me, that’s what made this

event so special.” (Participant

Writer, Border Control 2012)

amomentspeace.co.uk

17Theatre & Performance

RUMPELSTILTSKIN

LAJEE DANCE TOUR


Isra’s Story

I came to Scotland when I was seventeen. I had to

leave my home country, Somalia, because it wasn’t

safe for me to be there anymore.

At first it felt strange to be in Scotland but now I

love my life here. I love how friendly people are and

I love going to college. I’m studying so I can go to

university and get a degree in health or social care.

People have helped me so much since I came here

that I want to be able to do that for others.

The clothes I wear are part of my heritage and

make me who I am. I love life in Scotland but I still

wear clothes from my country – I just make them a

bit more stylish! The scarves I wear now are more

colourful and looser than those I used to wear. When

I first came to Scotland I used to dress mainly in

black. Now I’ve got a collection of colourful scarves

– I can’t stop buying them!

Another part of my heritage that I’ve brought with

me is some recipes for food I used to eat in Somalia.

My favourite thing to cook is Njera, it’s sort of like a

pancake made from flour and water.

It was great taking part in the Open Aye for Natural Scotland photography project. The best part was

travelling around Scotland and getting to see new

parts of the country. The first time I saw a Scottish

beach it reminded me so much of my country, but

it was very different too. The sand in Somalia is

white, and the sea is full of fishing boats. I saw

some boats here but the people on them were not

fishing, they were just lying around sunbathing.

Taking photographs is like making a memory –

a new memory, a happy memory.

Isra took part in Scottish Natural Heritage’s Open Aye for Natural Scotland photography project last

summer through Scottish Refugee Council and

Aberlour’s Scottish Guardianship Service.

Her photos are part of the Open Aye for Natural Scotland exhibition at Kelvingrove Art Gallery &

Museum, and Our Glasgow exhibition at the Mitchell

Library, both running throughout Refugee Week

Scotland (see pages 20 & 21).

The clothes I wear are part of my

heritage and make me who I am.

Isra Mohammed Shahani, Somalia


Visual Art

Peter Iain Campbell presents

Living In The Sky (1999/2013)

Sat 15 & Sun 16 June Kelvingrove Park as part

of Glasgow’s Mela

glasgowmela.com

Tue 23 July – Tue 20 August The Arches, 253 Argyle Street,

Glasgow, G2 8DL

FREE

‘Living in the Sky’ was an

ideological term used to describe

a vision in the late 1960s that led

to the development of the later

Red Road Estate, Glasgow. Forty

years later, Red Road is going

through a process of demolition.

Peter Iain Campbell revisits two

of his previous projects that were

initially developed within the Red

Road Estate: Living In The Sky

(1999) - a part visual diary/journal

based on the lives of Kosovan

refugees and To Whom It May Concern (2004) - a photography

project aimed at removing visual

stereotypes of refugees and

asylum seekers portrayed in

the media.

peteriaincampbell.co.uk

Supported by Scottish Refugee Council

& Glasgow Life

Scottish Natural Heritage

& Open Aye present

Open Aye for Natural Scotland

Sat 18 May – Sat 31 Aug Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum,

Community Space, Argyle Street,

Glasgow, G3 8AG

FREE

The Open Aye for Natural Scotland exhibition showcases

the photographic body of

work created collectively by

participants from diverse and

varied communities. Inspired

by nature, collected on outdoor

adventures and created with care,

these photographs show true

appreciation of Scotland’s natural

heritage. This exhibition celebrates

life’s simple pleasures.

Many of the images within the

exhibition were taken by young

refugees from Scottish Refugee

Council & Aberlour’s Scottish

Guardianship Service.

Scottish Refugee Council &

Streetlevel Photoworks present

Spirit

Tue 4 June – Sun 30 June, 10am – 4pm Renfrewshire Arts & Museums,

Paisley Arts Centre, New Street,

Paisley, PA1 1EZ

FREE

Launched in 2012 by the Scottish

Refugee Council in partnership

with Streetlevel Photoworks,

Spirit is an inspiring photography

project supported by the Big

Lottery Fund.

Based on interviews and

photographs taken by refugee

participants, this inspiring

photographic exhibition explores

what ‘spirit’ means to our

communities and people in

Scotland today.

spiritofrefugeeweek.org.uk


21Visual Art

Frayed at the Edges presents

Stitching Continents

Mon 17 – Sat 22 June Hillhead Library, 348 Byres Road,

Glasgow, G12 8AP

FREE

Embroidered textiles are common

to all cultures and countries

but differ depending on why

they have been created and by

whom. The techniques are passed

from generation to generation

with certain patterns or colour

combinations being significant.

This participatory exhibition

will explore the similarities and

differences of embroidery from

different cultures and countries.

Asylum seekers, refugees and

local Scots will create samples

of embroidery for the exhibition

provoking reflection on their

heritage.


& Voluntary Arts Scotland

Open Aye presents

Our Glasgow

Mon 17 – Sat 22 June Mitchell Library, North Street,

Glasgow, G3 7DN

FREE

Our Glasgow will showcase

many beautiful & interesting

photographs of the city, taken by

young refugees over the last few

years.

Since 2010, Open Aye has been

running photography courses

with participants from Scottish

Refugee Council & Aberlour’s

Scottish Guardianship Service

and British Red Cross ‘Chrysalis’

project for young refugees. Many

of the images, created by 60

participants, show the heritage of

the city – its architecture, natural

heritage and culture. The Our Glasgow exhibition shows the city

through the eyes of these young

refugees.

Supported by British Red Cross

& Scottish Refugee Council

openaye.co.uk

Picture Windows for Refugee Week Scotland

Mon 17 – Sat 22 June, Midday – Midnight Around town –

locations to be revealed

FREE

Contact [email protected].

uk for more info or visit facebook.

com/picturewindow

Picture Window invites three

artists to inhabit three shop

windows across the city. Working

within the mediums of projection

and performance, the artists

will engage specifically with the

windows’ location and the heritage

of the local community to create

one city-wide installation. Each

window’s close proximity to public

transport links will allow a dialogue

across the works, connecting

people and place.

Red Road Flats presents

Red Road: Past, Present, Future

Until February 2014 The People’s Palace & Winter

Gardens, Glasgow Green,

Glasgow, G40 1AT

FREE

The Red Road flats have been

present on the Glasgow skyline

for almost 50 years. Now they

are being demolished. Red Road: Past, Present, Future explores

the impact of those iconic high

rise flats. Funded by Glasgow

Housing Association and Glasgow

Life, it features artworks and

commentary created by the Red

Road communities, in response to

the rise and fall of the city’s most

visible tower blocks.

redroadflats.org.uk

Film

Refugee Survival Trust presents

Making It Home

Fri 14 June, 3pm With poetry from Ruth Padel Tron Theatre,

Victorian Bar, 63 Trongate,

Glasgow, G1 5HB

FREE but ticketed

Box Office: 0141 552 4267

tron.co.uk

Sun 16 June, 4pm Filmhouse Cinema,

88 Lothian Road,

Edinburgh, EH3 9BZ

FREE but ticketed

Box Office: 0131 228 2688

filmhousecinema.com

A special screening of four short

films created by refugee and

asylum seeking women from

Maryhill (Glasgow) and local

women from Pilton (Edinburgh) in

response to poems about ‘home’,

with speakers from the project

and an opportunity for discussion

afterwards.

This fascinating initiative has

seen two very different groups of

women build bridges of dialogue

and understanding by expressing

their unique cultures and heritage

through poetry-based film-

making.

Produced in partnership with

Media Co-op, Scottish Poetry

Library, Maryhill Integration

Network and Women Supporting

Women (Pilton Community Health

Project). Supported by Scottish

Refugee Council. Funded by

Creative Scotland.

View the films at your own pace in

a relaxed setting as part of a film

installation

Victorian Bar, Tron Theatre

Fri 14 – Sat 22 June,

12:30 – 2:30pm

makingithome.net


23Film

Glasgow Refugee, Asylum & Migration

Network, Black & Ethnic Minorities in

Scotland & Centre for Contemporary

Arts present

Mare Chiuso (Closed Sea)

Andrea Segre, Stefano Liberti,

2012, Italy, 60mins

Wed 19 June CCA,

350 Sauchiehall Street,

Glasgow, G2 3JD

FREE

Box office: 0141 352 4900

glasgow.ac.uk/gramnet

Mare Chiuso centres on the

plight of Semere, an Eritrean

man separated from his pregnant

wife who had made safe passage

to Italy. Semere’s footage from

his mobile phone captured the

moment that the migrant’s boat

was intercepted by the Italian

navy. This is the first international

screening of Mare Chiuso.

bemis.org.uk glasgow.ac.uk/gramnet

Renfrewshire Arts & Museums presents

Africa United (12A) Debs Paterson, Rhidian Brook,

2010, 88mins

Tue 18 June, 7pm Paisley Arts Centre,

New Street, Paisley, PA1 1EZ

FREE but ticketed

Box Office: 0300 300 1210

renfrewshire.gov.uk/

onlinebooking

Renfrewshire Arts and Museums is

delighted to present Africa United,

a film chosen by the Association

of African Communities in

Renfrewshire (AACR), which tells

the extraordinary story of three

Rwandan children who walk 3000

miles to the Football World Cup

in South Africa. The film will be

followed by a short performance

from Renfrewshire Effort to

Empower Minorities (REEM).

Glasgow Film presents

Whose Story?

Tue 18 June, 6pm Glasgow Film Theatre,

12 Rose Street, Glasgow, G3 6RB

£4.50

Box Office: 0141 332 6535

glasgowfilm.org

If you had been forced to leave

your home, how would you

respond to the filmmaker who

wants to capture your story?

If you were that filmmaker, how

would you begin that process?

Filmmakers, community workers

and participants come together

to unpack the work and discuss

the journey.

The event features contributions

from documentary filmmaker

Chris Leslie, creator of a recent

film on asylum seekers who have

faced destitution in Scotland,

for Scottish Refugee Council

and Refugee Survival Trust’s

Stop Destitution campaign

stopdestitution.org.uk; and

Refugee Survival Trust’s

Making It Home project.

MARE CHIUSOWHOSE STORY?


Film

Glasgow Film’s POP-UP

Programmers present

Spirited Away (PG)Hayao Miyazaki, 2001, Japan, 125 mins

Fri 21 June 3:45pm A special after-school screening Garnethill Multicultural Centre,

21 Rose Street, Glasgow, G3 6RE

FREE

Suitable for children 9+

Box Office: glasgowfilm.org/popup

When ten-year-old Chihiro finds herself lost in a

spirit world, she must try to escape the monsters

and frightening creatures, to save herself and her

parents. Chihiro is given a new name and forced

to do horrible cleaning duties. As she tries to free

herself and escape back to the human world,

Chihiro begins a unique adventure.


& Young Start

Glasgow Film’s POP-UP

Programmers present

The Man Who Fell to Earth (18)Nicolas Roeg, 1976, UK, 139 mins

Fri 21 June 7:30pm Followed by an after-party Garnethill Multicultural Centre,

21 Rose Street, Glasgow, G3 6RE

FREE

Box Office: glasgowfilm.org/popup

This cult film features the debut film performance

of David Bowie as an extra-terrestrial seeking refuge

upon Earth. In an attempt to save his home planet

from a fatal drought, Thomas Newton (Bowie)

channels his advanced technology and intellect onto

society; however, human indulgence contrives to

ground Newton.

Supported by Scottish Refugee Council & Young Start


25Film

Solas Festival presents

Words : Walls

Sat 22 June The Bield at Blackruthven,

Tibbermore, Perth, PH1 1PY

Entry by festival pass

Box Office: solasfestival.co.uk/box-office

Solas Festival is a festival of music, literature, film,

dance, theatre and debate. This year’s events explore

the Imagination State; opening up discussions of

borders and identities in Scotland and the world.

The festival will hold one of the first screenings of

the film Words : Walls, which follows Scottish artists,

including Liz Lochhead and William Letford, as they

perform and work in the refugee camps of Palestine.

Liz Lochhead will be at Solas over the weekend

discussing the displacement of Palestinian people,

and reading from her own work relating to heritage

and identities.

solasfestival.co.uk

Glasgow Film presents

a Take 2 family screening of

Life of Pi 3D (PG)Ang Lee, 2012, 127mins

Sat 22 June, 11:30am Glasgow Film Theatre,

12 Rose Street, Glasgow, G3 6RB

FREE to Glasgow Young Scot or Kidz Card holders

(includes one accompanying adult).

All other tickets £4.50

Box Office: 0141 332 6535 / glasgowfilm.org

A magical 3D voyage across the Pacific Ocean.

When teenager Pi Patel is stranded after a tempest

sinks his family’s ship, he and a Bengal tiger have

the unfortunate luck of having to share a lifeboat.

Ordinarily sworn enemies, man and beast are united

in their plight and must learn to respect one another

in order to survive.


Guy’s Story

Heritage to me means solidarity – working together

to create a strong community. I always say, ‘you can’t

tie a knot with one hand’. What I mean is, we need

each other. We need to work together and help each

other out.

In Africa, we don’t wait for the government to do

things for us – we’d be waiting forever! If we need

a new school we build it ourselves. That is the

spirit I’ve brought with me to Scotland. I work with

community groups here to try to build a society

based on shared values and shared responsibility.

In my group, Cameroonian Association and

Sympathisers in Scotland (CAMASS), we share

our problems and support each other through the

difficult times. We share the good times too of course

and help out with each other’s children, so they grow

up with a strong sense of community and a sense

of responsibility themselves. We try to create an

extended family for our children and, for those born

here in Scotland, we play them music and tell stories

from Cameroon. Music and dance are an integral part

of Cameroonian social gatherings and storytelling.

Anyone can come to these events – Scottish kids,

refugees, it doesn’t matter where you are from.

I think that people in Scotland understand about the

importance of community. I came to the UK eleven

years ago from Cameroon and moved to Scotland

six years ago. People had told me bad things about

Scotland, that it was freezing all year round and that

it wasn’t a welcoming place. But the very first day

I came here, people started chatting to me on the

bus. I think people here value each other and have

concern for each other. I love that people are always

saying hi to each other, even when they are strangers.

Yes, there is a sense of community here but we need

to work at it to keep it strong.

Guy is part of the Cameroonian Association and

Sympathisers in Scotland (CAMASS), which is

presenting a Community Celebration event with

drumming and dancing, open to all, at the natural

heritage site of Loch Katrine (see page 30) as part

of Refugee Week Scotland.

Heritage to me means solidarity – working together to create

a strong community.

Guy Ngansi Deyap, Cameroon


Every year, Scottish Refugee Council encourages

and supports refugee community groups and

integration networks to deliver events as part of

Refugee Week Scotland by providing small grants

and capacity building workshops. These events make

up the Community Celebrations programme, with

over thirty events taking place across Glasgow and

beyond.

The Community Celebrations programme is a central

part of Refugee Week Scotland that makes up

approximately one third of the festival programme.

These unique events underpin Refugee Week

Scotland and mark it as different from many other

festivals. They provide an opportunity for integration

in local communities, a celebration of Scotland’s

diverse cultures and a chance to raise awareness of

issues affecting asylum seekers and refugees.

Take your pick from carnivals, football tournaments,

international ceilidhs, music and dance nights and

visits to some of Scotland’s natural heritage sites.

At many of these events you can sample authentic

cuisine from around the world that you won’t find in

any Scottish restaurant, with recipes hailing from as

far away as Sri Lanka and the Bajuni Islands.

This programme would not be possible without the

support of Police Scotland, the Educational Institute

of Scotland and Glasgow Housing Association.

Help us Support Communities Year on year the Community Celebrations programme

grows stronger, as we continue to engage existing and

new community groups with capacity building and

skills development workshops. We are always looking

for new sponsors and partners for this dynamic and

exciting area of our work. For more information on

how you can help us support communities contact

[email protected] or visit

scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk/what_you_can_do


IMAGE: ANGELA CAITLIN

29Community Celebrations

Alba Asia Network

Alba Asia Ceilidh

Sat 15 June, 7pm – 11pm St James R C Church, 20 Beltrees Road, Glasgow, G53 6TE FREE

Alba Asia Network helps Sri Lankan and Indian people to settle in Glasgow. The Ceilidh will include a mix of traditional Scottish as well as Sri Lankan and Indian music and dancing. Renowned for its use of colours and spices, traditional Sri Lankan cuisine will be provided.

facebook.com/alba.asia

Greater Pollok Integration Network

The Big Lunch

Sat 15 June, Midday – 3pm Grounds around Kennishead Community Hall & Blocks 30 & 40 Kennishead Avenue, Glasgow, G46 8PR FREE

A community festival that encourages people to get out of their homes and meet their neighbours over a picnic. Activities include children’s entertainers, animals, inflatables, therapies, police and fire rescue demonstrations and an international stage show.

gpintegrationnetwork.co.uk

Renfrewshire Effort

to Empower Minorities

Cultural Celebration

Sat 15 June, 2 – 6pm 14 Wellmeadow Street, Paisley, PA1 2EE FREE

An information packed event to promote knowledge of cultural diversity within the community, including five-a-side football, massage, storytelling, belly dancing, crafts, face painting and other kids’ games, speeches by dignitaries and dishes prepared by the local community.

renfrewshireefforttoempower minorities.org.uk

Govan & Craigton Integration Network

with GalGael & Plantation Productions

Diving for Pearls Launch Celebration

Sat 15 June, Midday – 9pm Pearce Institute, 840 – 860 Govan Rd, Glasgow, G51 3UU FREE For more information contact [email protected]

A festive and fun day for all to celebrate Govan, its migrant community and the Heritage Lottery funded Diving for Pearls project. This event will include the launch of an exhibition of model traditional boats, archive images, oral histories and artwork; documentary short-film screenings; theatre & dance and song & music performances; storytelling open-mic; unveiling of public art work; and a street party with food and craft stalls.

gcin.org.uk/divingforpearls

Crossroads Youth

& Community Association

Heritage in Govanhill

Tue 18 June, 12:30 – 2:30pm Govanhill Free Church, 26 Belleisle Street, Glasgow, G42 8HJ FREE

Govanhill is home to the most ethnically diverse community in Scotland, with over 60 languages being spoken in the area. This event offers an opportunity to share stories of heritage through objects, crafts, poetry and/or photos/pictures. There will be short films around the theme of asylum, readings of poems written by refugees or people who are still in the asylum system and a quiz on asylum issues as well as play-workers for the children.

cyca.org.uk

LINKES

Home from Home

Tue 18 June, 6pm – 8pm LINKES, Community Rooms, 200 Lincoln Avenue, Glasgow, G13 3PR FREE

Community exhibition Home from Home explores and celebrates home structures from around the world. Women, children & older people in the community present images and artwork that express their experiences and aspirations of ‘home’. Come to be challenged and inspired as you reflect on your own understanding of ‘home’.

linkes.org.uk

International Women’s Group (IWG)

& North Glasgow Integration Network

(NGIN)

International Heritage Journeys Celebration

Thu 20 June, 11:30 – 2:30pm Kids & Adults Together at Sighthill Community Centre, 1 Fountainwell Square, G21 1RF FREE but booking required, please contact [email protected] Lamees (IWG) 07580 340549 Donald (NGIN) 07749 399920

International Women’s Group launch their International Heritage Journeys book, which includes haggis recipes from eight different countries and stories of the women’s heritage. To celebrate there will be haggis tasters, traditional dress and dancing.

North Glasgow Integration Network presents a range of music, songs and performance from a range of countries including Iran, Lebanon, Ireland, Scotland and Pakistan reflecting heritage and commonality of people who have been forced to flee their country of origin.

Maryhill Integration Network (MIN)

Community Garden Launch

Thu 20 June, Midday – 3pm Maryhill Community Centre, 35 Avenuepark Street, Glasgow, G20 8TS FREE

An exciting occasion for the Maryhill community as they launch their new shared garden; an initiative supported by Forestry Commission and Scottish Government. The space will promote health and wellbeing for families and individuals. Join them for a range of multi-cultural entertainment and activities. Refreshments provided.

maryhillintegration.org.uk

Supported by Forestry Commission

Scotland, NHS Health Improvement

& Glasgow City Council

Cameroonian Association of

Sympathisers in Scotland (CAMASS)

Visit Loch Katrine

Sat 22 June, 10am – 5pm FREE For more information contact [email protected]

Take a trip to explore the natural heritage of Loch Katrine and celebrate ten years of CAMASS with traditional Cameroonian music, drumming, dancing and food.

camass.org.uk


Y Women’s Social Group

Our Heritage

Wed 19 June, Midday – 3pm YWCA Family Learning Centre, 3 Newton Terrace, Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G3 7PJ FREE Come along on the day or call 0141 248 5338

Women and families of different backgrounds come together to share stories of their heritage and experiences of their journeys as asylum seekers and refugees. Information will be available on local services and informal learning opportunities at YWCA’s Family Learning Centre. Onsite crèche and children’s arts and crafts activities are provided.

Givin’ it Laldie & Bridging the Gap

Movin’ On Up

Wed 19 June, 6:30 – 8:30pm Gorbals Parish Church, 1 Errol Gardens, Glasgow, G5 0RA FREE, places are limited. To book contact 0141 418 0241

This cultural celebration explores how the Gorbals’ community has been built through migration - tracing the arrival of residents from the Highlands, Russia and Poland, Ireland and Italy and, most recently, people seeking asylum and celebrates this heritage with songs, stories, images and culinary delights from Gorbals Community Choir and Bridging the Gap.

givinitlaldie.org.uk


MOVIN’ ON UP

31

Aberlour Childcare Trust &

Scottish Refugee Council Scottish

Guardianship Service

Guardianship Celebration

Sat 22 June, 2pm – 4pm Gorbals Parish Church, 1 Errol Gardens, Glasgow, G5 0RA FREE but booking required, please contact [email protected]

Launched in 2010 and now supporting over 100 young people from 23 different countries, the Scottish Guardianship Service aims to allocate a professional guardian to every newly arrived separated child to help them navigate the asylum system. Join these young people in exploring and celebrating heritage through dance, storytelling and ceilidh.

aberlour.org.uk/guardianship

Glasgow North West Framework

for Dialogue

Heritage of the Framework for Dialogue (FfDs) Groups

Sat 22 June, 1pm – 3pm Garnethill Multicultural Centre, 21 Rose Street, Glasgow, G3 6RE FREE For more information contact [email protected]

Maryhill FfD and the West FfD joined forces a year ago becoming Glasgow North West FfD. Join us for our Annual General Meeting as we look back over the years and the achievements of both groups.

Clan Macondo

Once Upon a Time in Kingsway

Sat 22 June, 2pm – 4pm The Whiteinch Centre, 1 Northinch Court, Glasgow, G14 0UG FREE

Celebrate the launch of Once Upon at a Time in Kingsway, the tale of a diverse group of women (asylum seekers, refugees and local Scots) who over the course of ten weeks have explored and shared their heritage, resulting in a beautiful exhibition of their stories and portraits, taken in traditional costume in their favourite places in Scotstoun.

clanmacondo.com

Bajuni Community in Scotland

Different Cultures, Different Tastes

Sat 22 June, 3pm – 7pm Kids & Adults Together at Sighthill Community Centre, 1 Fountainwell Square, G21 1RB FREE For more information contact [email protected]

Discover the taste of Bajuni cuisine, recipes hailing from the Bajuni islands off the Somalian south coast and share the heritage and stories of the Bajuni Community in Scotland.

Central & West Integration Network

Here Today, Plant Migration: a guided tour of Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

Sat 22 June 11am – 3pm Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, 20A Inverleith Row, Edinburgh, EH3 5LR FREE For more info or if you would like to participate contact florence@centralandwest integration.org.uk

An outing for all the family – take a guided tour of the garden highlighting different plants and their countries of origin. The group will visit the glass house with plants from Asian Africa where participants can identify plants from their home countries, followed by discussion and refreshments.

Dar Al-Falaah Community

Education Limited

Amal (Hope)

Sat 22 June, Midday – 4pm Hillhead High School, Oakfield Avenue, Glasgow, G12 8LJ FREE For more information contact [email protected]

A celebration for all the family with parents and pupils from Dar Al-Falaah Community Education, including crafts, storytelling, face-painting, Henna, Arabic poetry and song and cultural foods.



A showcase of Nigeria’s Igbo culture and tradition in the natural heritage setting of Pollok Country Park, featuring performing artists, acrobatic dance groups, dress and traditional Igbo masquerade from Akwunaechenyi Drumming Group. The day also includes a Children’s Development Workshop in association with Learn Igbo Now and the African Language and Cultural Centre Glasgow.

Pollokshaws Area Network

Pollokshaws Community Carnival

Sat 22 June, 11am – 4:30pm Greenbank Park, Netherauldhouse Road, Pollokshaws, Glasgow, G43 1LS FREE For more information contact [email protected]

The tenth year of this annual celebration of the diverse cultures and heritages present in Pollokshaws. Come and enjoy the parade, performances, interactive workshops, taster sessions, games and more in this wonderful carnival atmosphere!

Karibu Scotland

Govan Gets a Taste of Africa

Sat 22 June, 11am – 4pm Pearce Institute Café, 840 – 860 Govan Rd, Glasgow, G51 3UU FREE For more information contact [email protected]

Celebrate Karibu’s textile heritage and signature tartan and share African food in the Pearce Institute Café, run by Karibu in partnership with Govan women’s organisation Tea in the Pot.

facebook.com/Karibu-Scotland

The Hidden Gardens

Day of Stories

Sat 22 June, Midday – 4pm The Hidden Gardens, Tramway, 25 Albert Drive, Pollokshields, Glasgow, G41 2PE FREE

Celebrate ten years of the Hidden Gardens; share stories triggered by the idea of the Gardens, and other gardens - mystical, fantastical, actual and otherwise.

There will be storytelling sessions, guided tours, international music and dance workshops, food from the Cultural Cookery group, in partnership with the Gurdwara (Sikh Temple), a film screening of the Gardens’ living memory project and the launch of the Gardens ‘plants of meaning’ project postcards.

thehiddengardens.org.uk

Igbo Welfare Union Glasgow

Reclaiming Our Heritage – A Fusion of our Language in Arts and Sounds

Sat 22 June, Midday – 6pm Pollok Country Park, Burrell Collection Grounds, 2060 Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow, G43 1AT FREE For event booking and enquires contact [email protected]


Isaro Social Integration Network

Diversity Social Event

Sat 22 June, 3pm – 6pm Skypoint Community Centre, Lennox Drive, Clydebank, Dunbartonshire, G81 5J FREE For more information contact [email protected]

Experience the diversity of Dunbartonshire with African style music and storytelling (for children and adults), Henna and face painting. Information stalls from local services and light snacks.


33

Gambians in Scotland Community

Association (GAMSCA)

Gambia’s Cultural Heritage

Sat 29 June, 1pm onwards African and Caribbean Centre, 66 Osborne St, Glasgow, G1 5QH For more information contact [email protected]

Join GAMSCA for a football match and 3K Fun Run, followed by a traditional costumes exhibition, music, dance and a buffet.

facebook.com/gamsca

Glasgow Afghan United

Refugee Week Scotland Football Tournament

Sun 23 June, 10am Powerleague, Kennedy Street, Townhead, Glasgow, G4 0PQ FREE For more information contact [email protected] or visit facebook.com/GlasgowAfghanUnited

A day of international sporting action with ten teams from a variety of different cultures. Refreshments provided.

UK Friends of Congo Brazzaville

Visit Loch Lomond & Neighbours BBQ

Sat 22 June, 11am – 6pm Loch Lomond Castle Lodge Park, Balloch, G83 8RB FREE For more information contact [email protected]

Friends of Congo Brazzaville extend a special invitation to start a conversation with their neighbours and welcome you to join them for a BBQ, in the natural heritage setting of Loch Lomond, to get to know each other better. There will be games, songs and storytelling.

Sudanese Community in Glasgow

Sudanese Wedding Day

Sat 22 June, 5pm – 11.30pm Anderston & Kelvingrove Church, 759a Argyle Street, Glasgow, G3 8DS FREE For more information contact [email protected]

The Sudanese Community invites you to share in a very special part of their heritage and play witness to the customs and traditions of a typical Sudanese Wedding, with special dress, songs, dances and food.

LGBT Unity Scotland

Gaylidh

Saturday 29 June, 7pm University of Strathclyde Students’ Association, Veritgo (8th Floor), 90 John Street, Glasgow, G1 1JH £3 or FREE for asylum seekers, for tickets in advance visit unitycentreglasgow.org

An eclectic mix of the music, dance and food from a variety of cultures to promote the inclusion of LGBT asylum seekers and refugees in Scotland. As well as having fun we hope our event will inform and encourage everyone to take a stand in fighting for the rights of LGBT people internationally.



Literature

Bloomsbury Publishing presents

Fact v Fiction: an exploration of Scotland’s refugees with author Karen Campbell

Thu 20 June, 6pm Mitchell Library, North Street,

Glasgow, G3 7DN

FREE, places are limited

Explore the reality behind Karen

Campbell’s novel This is Where I Am, about Abdi and his daughter,

Rebecca, who are refugees

settling into Glasgow. Karen Campbell will be in conversation

with panellists from Scottish Refugee Council and reading

from This is Where I Am. Karen

Cunningham, Head of Glasgow

Libraries, will chair the event.

From Friday 21 June, you can

download Glasgow Women’s Library 21 Revolutions podcast with Karen Campbell reading her

new story The Colour of Queens and talking about the items from

the library’s archive that inspired

the work. The podcast marks the

21st Anniversary of the Glasgow

Women’s Library.

Download from womenslibrary.

org.uk or via iTunes.

Refugee Survival Trust & Scottish

Storytelling Centre present

Making It Homewith special guests, poetry

readings and discussion

Fri 21 June, 7pm Scottish Storytelling Centre,

43 – 45 High St,

Edinburgh, EH1 1SR

FREE but ticketed

Box Office: 0131 556 9579

scottishstorytellingcentre.co.uk

Come and experience a

fascinating evening of poetry

and short films stemming from

Refugee Survival Trusts’ Making it Home project. This unique

initiative has seen refugee and

asylum seeking women from

Maryhill (Glasgow) and local

women from Pilton (Edinburgh)

create four extraordinary short

films in response to well-known

poems about home and belonging.

Produced in partnership with Media

Co-op, Scottish Poetry Library, Maryhill

Integration Network, Women Supporting

Women (PCHP). Supported by Scottish

Refugee Council. Funded by Creative

Scotland.

Scottish Storytelling Centre presents

Café Voices: Refugee Spirit

Wed 19 June, 7pm Scottish Storytelling Centre,

43 – 45 High St,

Edinburgh, EH1 1SR

£5

Box Office: 0131 556 9579


As part of their monthly

programme Café Voices, the

Scottish Storytelling Centre is

hosting a special Café Voices as

part of Refugee Week Scotland,

featuring Zimbabwean guitar hero

and Bhundu Boy, Rise Kagona,

together with musicians, singers

and storytellers from around the

globe.

Hosted by singer, film and theatre

artist, Roxana Vilk, an entertaining

evening of stories, music and song

awaits.


“A generous-spirited, big-hearted depiction of life behind the statistics.”

(Daily Mail on Karen Campbell’s

This is Where I Am)

IMAGE: LAURENT GALBRUN


35

Govan & Craigton Integration

Network presents

Diving for Pearls Gig Night with Alasdair Roberts & friends, Lorraine McCauley and Special Guests

Thu 20 June, 7:30pm til late The Grand Ole Opry,

2 – 4 Govan Road,

Glasgow, G51 1HS

£5 / £2.50 concession or FREE

(no income), tickets available

on the door or in advance by

contacting [email protected]

A night of music and song; with

songs written by participants from

the Diving for Pearls project song-

writing strand, and performances

from acclaimed Scottish folk

musicians Alasdair Roberts &

friends, Lorraine McCauley, and

other special guests.

Around Town

Wasasa Comedy presents

Wasasa Comedy Night Special

Mon 17 June, 7:30 – 11:30pm The Stand Comedy Club,

333 Woodlands Road,

Glasgow, G3 6NG

£10 (£8)

Box Office: 0844 335 8879

Contact info@wasasacomedy.

com for more details

Hosted by the award winning

Kevin Bridges, this will be a

fantastic showcase of comedians

from diverse backgrounds,

including The Kasengele Brothers,

Sean Reid and Nico Ndlovu with

their unique brand that taps into

their African roots and life in

Glasgow.

wasasacomedy.com

Streetlevel Photoworks in association

with University of Glasgow, University of

Exeter & Swansea Metropolitan present

Future Memory in Red Road

Sat 18 May, 1pm – 3pm Alive and Kicking, 94 Red Road

& the playing field next to Red

Road Family Centre,

Glasgow, G21 4PH

FREE

A unique event to celebrate and

mark the end of a colourful part of

Glasgow’s history with all the past

residents of the Red Road flats,

many of whom have been asylum

seekers and refugees over the past

10 years. Including a showcase of

artworks made with ex-residents,

film screenings, family activities,

choir performance and live music

played out from the framework

of the final stripped slab block.

streetlevelphotoworks.org

The Arches Café Bar Take-over – Taste the World with the International Women’s Group

Mon 17 – Sat 22 June, from 5pm The Arches, 253 Argyle Street,

Glasgow, G2 8DL

Especially for Refugee Week

Scotland, women from the

International Women’s Group

have been working with the

Arches’ chef, Robbie McGuiness,

to come up with a menu of

culinary delights inspired by

their heritage and recipes from

their home countries of Palestine,

Algeria, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria and

Sudan.

thearches.co.uk

Earthy Food & Goods

Middle Eastern Food Night

Thu 20 June, 7:30pm 1 – 6 Canonmills Bridge,

Canonmills, Edinburgh, EH3 5LF

£25 per head. To book contact

0131 556 9696

A Middle East inspired food

sharing event with themed live

entertainment and music.

earthy.uk.com

Sir James Glasgow Pub Quizzes

Sun 16 June, 8pm

Beefeater, G62 6JQ

Mon 17 June, 8:30pm

Dukes Bar, G3 8RD

Tue 18 June, 8pm

Bungo Bar, G41 2AL

Wed 19 June, 9pm

West-End Gallus, G11 6NX

Thu 20 June, 9pm

Den, G61 3RB

Glasgow Pub Quiz-master Sir

James brings Refugee Week

Scotland to the Pub Quiz!

Pop along to one near you - cash

prizes, top banter and lots of fun

to be had. Supporting Scottish

Refugee Council.

Online Refugee Week quiz and full

details at glasgowpubquiz.com


Ahlam & Meriem’s Story

Ahlam: We didn’t know each other before we came

to Scotland, but we came from the same city, are

about the same age and have the same values. We

share our culture, our heritage. That makes it feel like

we have known each other from when we were born.

Meriem: We first met in 2003, not long after I

arrived here. I had just had my son, I felt lost, unsure

of myself. But Ahlam gave me such support that I

regained my strength.

Ahlam: We were there for each other, and we

supported and campaigned together to make things

better for others too. We went to protests outside

the Home Office at 4am in the snow, taking our small

children with us.

We got so much support from Scottish people too.

We discovered that the country may be cold but the

people are so warm. That was very important to us

because we both come from big families. In Algeria

we were always surrounded by people.

Now Scotland feels like home. It is like my adopted

mother. And it doesn’t feel like a problem to be both

Algerian and Scottish.

Meriem: That’s because there are so many similarities

in the heritage of both countries! Haggis is the big

evidence. Our event shows that Haggis is something

that exists in so many cultures. I thought that we

could show that shared heritage by making Haggis

from around the world.

Ahlam: The longer I’m here the more I find the

similarities – like traditional crochet and embroidery

that some people in both counties still do. Or giving

money to new mothers for the baby – the first time

someone tucked a coin into my pram I was amazed.

Meriem: Me too! I said, ‘they do the same thing in

my country.’

Ahlam: In the International Women’s group we are

bringing together people from different countries,

different cultures, making links and discovering the

shared heritage we all have. I’m always learning

something new, and that’s what life is about, isn’t it?

Meriem and Ahlam are part of the International

Women’s Group, which presents International Heritage Journeys on Thursday 20 June,

11:30am – 2:30pm (see page 30 for details).

In addition The Arches Café Bar will present a

specially themed menu, inspired by recipes from

the International Women’s Group as part of

Refugee Week Scotland (see page 35 for details).

Heritage to us is our shared

culture

Ahlam Souidi & Meriem Timizak, Algeria

REFUGEE WEEK SCOTLAND 2013 DIFFERENT PASTS, SHARED FUTURE 37



Network (GRAMNet)

Research Open Day

Wed 12 June, 2pm – 5pm University of Glasgow,

Sir Charles Wilson Building,

Basement Seminar Room,

1 University Avenue,

Glasgow, G12 8QQ

FREE

Register via GRAMNet

glasgow.ac.uk/gramnet

GRAMNet has been working to

develop research and knowledge

exchange with a range of partners

in Scotland and internationally

over the last three years, in

consultation with refugees,

migrants, asylum seekers and the

many agencies and organisations

working to support them.

This open day offers an

opportunity to hear presentations

from researchers in the network,

postgraduate students and

established researchers in areas

ranging from health and medical

care, to law, to languages,

literature, the arts, education,

area studies and human rights.

Discussions


Network (GRAMNet) & University of

Glasgow, School of Law

Translation and Asylum Claims: Miscommunication & Silence

Fri 14 June, 9am – 5:30pm University of Glasgow,

Room 355, Main Building,

Glasgow, G12 8QQ

FREE

Invitation Only, please contact

[email protected]

if you would like to attend

This is an opportunity for an in

depth analysis of the challenges

posed to all those involved in the

asylum decision making process

by its reliance on interpretation

and translation, and to consider

what is lost, omitted or not

said through this process, as

experienced by a range of

professionals in their everyday

practice.

Glasgow Housing Association (GHA)

presents

Glasgow’s Housing Heritage

Thu 20 June, Midday – 2pm Roystonhill Recreation Centre,

15 Forrestfield Street,

Glasgow, G21 2HG

FREE, lunch provided

Please contact

[email protected]

0141 274 5543 if you would like

to attend.

An informal event involving

residents including asylum seekers,

refugees and local Scots. Speakers

will talk about how Glasgow has

adapted and evolved as a result

of dispersal of asylum seekers.

In GHA’s tenth anniversary year

we will hear about GHA’s history,

how GHA’s neighbourhoods have

been affected by dispersal and

about on-going work to promote

integration. GHA residents will

share their stories about housing

heritage.

Self-Care & Researching with Refugees & Asylum seekers

Tue 18 June, 2pm – 4pm University of Glasgow,

Room 355, Main Building,

Glasgow, G12 8QQ

FREE

More information contact

[email protected]

0141 330 1989

An opportunity to discuss and

gather reflections on developing

good practice in self-care, risk

assessment and management

in research situations. The learning

from this event will be circulated

to relevant research networks

to assist their work with vulnerable

groups or in areas of perceived

risk.

Funded by Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Glasgow Refugee, Asylum & Migration Network Postgraduate Cluster

glasgow.ac.uk/gramnet and facebook.com/GRAMNet


UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW

39


Scottish Refugee Council in association

with National Theatre of Scotland

Creative Writing Masterclass

Fri 7 June, 3pm – 5pm Scottish Refugee Council, 5 Cadogan Square

(170 Blythswood Court), Glasgow, G2 7PH

FREE, places are limited

To confirm your place contact

[email protected] / 0141 223 7939

Heritage is an essential part of the present we live in

— and of the future we will build.

In this creative writing masterclass there will be an

opportunity to tell stories and explore – what do you

want to remember and preserve?

Open to all. No previous writing experience

necessary. Participants are welcome to write in their

own language.

Schools


Simple Acts

Running throughout May on GLOW

The Simple Acts campaign is about inspiring people

to use small, everyday actions to change perceptions

of refugees.

This year pupils can meet through GLOW to

participate in Simple Acts such as Cook a Dish from another Country, Share a Story, Find an Object that Tells a Story of Heritage through four live lessons

with representatives from Scottish Refugee Council.

portal.glowscotland.org.uk

simpleacts.org.uk

Scottish Refugee Council presents

Refugee Week Scotland Festival Lounge

Fri 14 – Sat 22 June, 12:30pm – 2:30pm Tron Theatre, Victorian Bar, 63 Trongate,

Glasgow, G1 5HB

Take some time out to relax in our cosy festival

lounge, a home from home within the festival, where

you can share highlights with others, browse Refugee

Week Scotland programme materials, participate in

arts and crafts or simply chill out.

Tue 18 & Saturday 22 June

Embroidery with crafts guru Julie Robertson

Wed 19 June

Explore the heritage of herbs and flowers

Thu 20 & Friday 20 June

Sharing stories

For more information contact

[email protected]


Curious Volunteer Events Team with

Glasgow Museums & Pan African Arts

Scotland present

Draw, Create & Flourish

Sun 23 June, 11am – 4pm (workshop presentations every hour on the hour) St Mungo Museum of Religious

Life and Art, 2 Castle Street,

Glasgow, G4 0RH

FREE (Drop in)

Discover the techniques used in

Aboriginal Dreamtime paintings

by creating your own painting

about objects from your personal

heritage, Glasgow’s story of

St Mungo on the twentieth

anniversary of St Mungo Museum

of Religious Life and Art and

Glasgow’s multicultural roots.

There will be storytelling and

music for all to enjoy throughout

the day describing the heritage

of Glasgow and the dreams

for Glasgow 2013 as an

multicultural City.

Motherwell College, Scottish Prison

Service & Prison Learning Centres

Travelling the Distance

17 – 21 June

A week of activities within seven

prison-based learning centres in

various locations. Prisons involved

include: Barlinnie, Dumfries,

Cornton Vale, Glenochil, Greenock,

Low Moss and Shotts.

The learning centres will host

cultural awareness raising events

including a film festival, cultural

kitchen, music, poetry, and

artwork exploring themes of

heritage and displaced peoples

whilst fundraising for refugee

charities.

Please note these events are not

open to the public.

Gallery of Modern Art and

Glasgow Museums presents

Invented Spaces

Sat 22 June, 10:30am – 12:30pm Gallery 4, Gallery of Modern Art,

Royal Exchange Square,

Glasgow, G1 3AH

FREE (Drop in)

Be inspired by Niki de Saint

Phalle’s Tarot Garden and the

heritage of man-made and natural

environments to design & build

your ideal home, den, or space.

Families will be asked to create

their own space - fanciful or

realistic. Identify your space by

making a flag which shows your

family identity.

Scottish Storytelling Centre presents

Immigration in Song & Story

Sat 22 June, 10:30am Scottish Storytelling Centre,

43 – 45 High St,

Edinburgh, EH1 1SR

FREE but ticketed

Box Office: 0131 556 9579


Throughout history immigrants

to Scotland have helped shape

the richness and diversity of our

culture. If you have a story to tell

about Scotland becoming your

home, and would like to hear the

stories of others, join in this day-

long workshop rich in resources,

creative approaches and insights

into experiences of immigration.

Led by award-winning singer,

song-writer and theatre artist,

Roxana Vilk and Czech and

Slovak musician, Peter Vilk. No

previous experience of singing

or storytelling necessary.



41Home Truths

Most refugees leave behind their homes, friends

and family because their lives are in serious danger.

Many are victims of torture and other forms of

extreme violence.

The 1951 United Nations Refugee Convention offers

protection for people fleeing persecution in their

home countries. Most refugees are offered protection

by the world’s poorest countries. The UK is home to

less than 2% of the world’s refugees – out of more

than 15 million worldwide. People seeking asylum in

Scotland make up less than 0.5 percent of the total

population of Glasgow.

Asylum seekers are not allowed to work and rely

on a small amount of state support, the equivalent

of about £5 per day.

Most people want to work and have skills and

professional training. Almost a third of them

volunteer regularly.

Many of the people seeking sanctuary in the UK

come from countries including Iran, Pakistan,

Afghanistan, China and Eritrea. They all come

fleeing war, persecution and torture.

Scotland has offered sanctuary to people who

need it for centuries. We welcome and celebrate

the contributions of all new Scots, whose skills,

talents and unique perspectives make this

country richer in so many ways.

Refugees come from all over the world – wherever conflict is rife and human rights abuses are commonplace.

Support Our WorkThere are many ways that you can get

involved and help Scottish Refugee Council

give refugees and asylum seekers the

support they need and deserve.

Donate to Scottish Refugee Council. £5, £10 or more will help us make a difference.

Text RFGE34 followed by the amount to

70070. Visit scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk/

donate or donate through facebook.com/

scottishrefugeecouncil

Fundraise for Scottish Refugee Council.

Campaign for a fair and just asylum system

in Scotland and the UK.

Volunteer and help provide the support

that keeps our services running.

Become a member of Scottish Refugee Council

For more information on how to support our work please visit

scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk/what_you_can_do

IMAGE: SUZI SIMPSON

Scottish Refugee Council is the leading Scottish

charity providing the first point of call for hundreds

of people who have fled horrific situations around

the world. We provide advice, support and a

listening ear – every step of the way.

0141 945 [email protected]

We aim to represent the diversity of the communities we serve.


NOWHERE TO GO?

www.samh.org.ukCall our Information Service: 0800 917 34 66

Visit your nearest SAMH Resource Centre

It can be hard to ask for help for a mental health problem.

But help is available. So don’t put it o�. Visit www.samh.org.uk

We’ll help you know where to go

Scottish Charity No SC-008897. Scottish Association for Mental Healt h.

Supporting Refugee Week Scotlanddirectdistribution.co.uk

[email protected]

0141 445 8838

SCOTTISH HOUSING ASSOCIATIONS & CO-OPS BRANCH

www.unitetheunion.org


43

GHA is delighted to be supporting Refugee Week Scotland.

Glasgow Housing Associationwww.gha.org.uk

Better homes, better lives

The EIS supports Scottish Refugee Council in their work to improve the lives of refugees and asylum seekers in Scotland.

www.eis.org.uk


5 Cadogan Square

(170 Blythswood Court)

Glasgow, G2 7PH

0141 248 9799

[email protected]

scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk

Support Our Work

Text RFGE34 followed by the amount

to 70070 or visit

scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk/donate

Above image: The International Women’s Group

celebrate Refugee Week Scotland 2013 with

haggis from eight different countries at their

event International Heritage Journeys Celebration

Join us on:

facebook.com/RefugeeWeekScotland

twitter.com/ScotRefCouncil

Patrons

Nelson Mandela, Lord McCluskey

Baroness Helena Kennedy and Joyce McMillan

Registered charity number SC008639.

Company Number SC145067.

Programme details are correct at time of going

to print. Scottish Refugee Council cannot be held

responsible for any subsequent changes to the

advertised listings.

refugee week scotland 2013 brochure

Documents

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events diary