Refugee week 2010- 20,000 simple acts and bigger than ever
The nation is gearing up for what is set to be the next biggest event after the football World Cup – Refugee Week 2010, 14-20 June.
Hundreds of events are taking place across the country to celebrate the contribution refugees make to the UK. Highlights include:
-Celebrating Sanctuary London – a huge, free festival on the South Bank with music and food from across the world (Sunday 13 June)
-Red Cross Refugee Week Comedy Night at the Tron in Glasgow (18 June)
-‘From Casablanca to Calais: exile on celluloid’ – an event at the British Film Institute in London ahead of the Refuge in Film Festival (10 June)
-Cabaret in Brighton (13 June)
-RUTH – a play by the No Nonsense Theatre Co. in Manchester (17-19 June)
-Maesteg Male Voice Choir performance at the City United Reformed Church in Cardiff, Wales (19 June)
-The Refugee Week Alternative World Cup in the City of London (20 June)
-World Refugee Day Umbrella Parade through Westminster (20 June)
This year is the second year of the Refugee Week Simple Acts campaign, which aims to bring refugees and British-born people together through small activities such as having tea, watching a film about refuge, playing football with a refugee or cooking a dish from another country. Already nearly 8000 acts have been completed, and by World Refugee Day, 20 June, the aim is to have 20,000 Simple Acts completed by the people of Britain.
Refugee Week is a UK-wide programme of arts, cultural and educational events that celebrate the contribution of refugees to the UK, and encourages a better understanding between communities.
Almir Koldzic, National Co-ordinator of Refugee Week said:
“Britain has a proud tradition of sheltering people who are fleeing persecution and war, and as we honour this during Refugee Week, we can help change the perception of refugees by each carrying out a simple, everyday act. It’s as easy as having a kick about, learning a song, or sharing a recipe with a refugee.
“This summer, as everyone gears up for the World Cup, let’s do Britain proud in another important way, and complete 20,000 Simple Acts to show that the contribution of refugees in the UK is both valued and celebrated.”