Refugee Festival Scotland is set to return this year after announcing an exciting line-up of events to be held up and down the country.
More than 130 events will take place from June 14 to 23, to bring together people from different backgrounds in friendship and solidarity.
After the ongoing conflicts seen around the world this year, the festival wants to honour the resilience of the people who have been brave enough to rebuild their lives in Scotland.
Sabir Zazai, Scottish Refugee Council chief executive, said: “The last year has been incredibly tough for people in the refugee community.
“It’s important to make time for moments of joy, connect with one another and revel in not only what we have in common but also what makes us all unique.”
He added: “Together, we can rise above the hostile environment and find strength in our communities.”
The festival will include music, dance, DJs, drag queens, football tournaments and family-friendly picnics and some of the events include artists and performers who came to Scotland seeking refugee protection.
Mónica Laiseca, Refugee Festival Scotland manager, said: “Packed with unique events and exceptional talent, the festival honours the resilience and courage of New Scots and celebrates a vision for a Scotland where everyone can blossom and has equal opportunity to thrive.
“At a particularly dire time for refugees and asylum seekers living in our communities, our festival puts forward an empowering message of welcome, and makes visible the support that is overwhelmingly present and active across Scottish society.”
The Refugee Festival Scotland has collaborated with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra to put on a family-friendly concert with three Glasgow-based community choirs.
The goal of the performance is to show the power of a good song which will be amplified by the three choirs and an 18-piece ensemble.
Elina, who travelled from Ukraine to Scotland and is a Refugee Festival Scotland ambassador, said: “We are spreading a message that anyone can rise out of any circumstances they have faced in their own life, since unfortunately most refugees experience the worst things that can happen to any human.
“We can share our experience to inspire other people too.”
A full programme of events in Scotland can be found on the Refugee Festival Scotland website.
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