Refugee Festival Scotland Returns: find out what’s happening around the Southside
The Scottish Refugee Festival Scotland is returning from 16-25 June with the theme of hope – ‘showcasing inspiring stories and sharing hopes and dreams for a better future’
Image description: Women from Sewing2gether All Nations community group stand next to each other holding three colourful fabrics.
By Samar Jamal | Image by Paul Chappels
Refugee Festival Scotland is an annual celebration of New Scots and the culture they bring to Scotland. The festival is coordinated by the Scottish Refugee Council but is collaboratively led and organised by community groups as well as refugees and activists across the country.
Speaking about the festival, the Scottish Refugee Council chief executive, Sabir Zazai said:
“Sharing and celebrating the stories of people who have settled in Scotland and the positive difference they make to our communities is more important than ever. Especially right now, when the right to claim asylum is under threat and politicians are using racist, anti-migrant language, which stirs up hatred, fear and division.”
There will be hundreds of events, many of which will be family friendly and free to access.
These include film screenings, fashion shows, community picnics, dance workshops and musical performances to cooking classes, football tournaments.
The festival brings communities together to celebrate the positive contribution refugees make to life in Scotland. Even more important at a time where the UK government is working to pass legislation banning people fleeing war and persecutions from claiming asylum in the UK.
Before the festivities begin, The Scottish Refugee Festival Media Awards will also be taking place on 15 June. The awards are a celebration of the work of journalists who covered stories relating to refugees and asylum issues. Greater Govanhill’s community reporters have been shortlisted in the local news category for their integration issue which asked contributors what integration means to them. And the ‘Sound of Refugee Voices’ radio show that Greater Govanhill helped to facilitate is also shortlisted.
What events are happening in and around Govanhill?
The Southside will host a variety of events including the Refugee Voices Shorts Screening which will take place at the community newsroom on June 22. More information on the full list of events can be found on the Scottish Refugee website. Below are some of the events taking place in and around Govanhill:
Picnic & Play at the Hidden Gardens
When: 11am - 3pm, June 17
Where: Hidden Gardens, 25a Albert Drive, Glasgow, G41 2PE
Children aged 3-8 and their families are invited to the magical hidden gardens for a day of imaginary play, delicious food and discovering nature’s secrets!
More Info: Free but booking required
Honey Mango Community Celebration
When: 12pm - 4pm, June 17
Where: Rumpus Room, Langside Lane, Glasgow, G42 8BH
This event will held as part of a workshop series in which young people of South Asian heritage are exploring the political and nostalgic sides of the Pakistani honey mango.
More Info: Free to attend
When: 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm, June 18
Where: Hidden Gardens, 25a Albert Drive, Glasgow, G41 2PE
‘The Power of Compassion’ presents chant, mantras, music and dance by eight Tibetan Monks from Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, their exiled home in South India, who open a magical window on to a world of reincarnation and Buddhist mysticism which has inspired audiences in theatres and festivals throughout Europe.
More Info: Tickets from £3.50
When: 12:30pm - 3pm, June 20
Where: All asylum seekers and refugees are invited to join on June 20th from 12:30 to 3 pm to enjoy the calming and therapeutic garden. You can check out the herbs and vegetables that are grown and participate in a “Grow Your Own” taster session. Additionally, there will be a “Mental Health Awareness Session” amidst the garden’s greenery.
More Info: Free but booking required
When: 5pm - 9:30pm, June 21
Where: Bowling Green 45 McCullouch Street , Glasgow, G41 1SU
Celebrate the Summer Solstice in Pollokshields with drumming, diverse music and food from the Scottish Arab Women’s Association.
More Info: Free
Gardening Group’s Recipe Book Launch!
When: 2:30pm - 5pm, June 21
Where: Pollokshields Bowling Green, 49 McCulloch Street, Glasgow, G41 1SU
The Freedom From Torture gardening group are launching their recipe book! It was cooked up over the winter, through sharing the delights at community meals, then creating and designing the finished product.
More Info: facebook.com/shieldsgarden
Refugee Voices Shorts Screening Evening
When: 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm, June 22
Where: The Community Newsroom, 82 Bowman Street, Glasgow, G42 8LF
A screening evening for a selection of short films made by New Scots. These films were the culmination of several video journalism workshops with the New Scots group where they learned how to tell their own stories through video.
More Info: Free but booking required
Learn about the Hostile Environment & How to be a Good Ally
When: 6pm - 8:30 pm, June 22 and June 24
Where: MILK, 452 Victoria RoadGlasgow, G42 8YU
A workshop for those who want to learn more about the asylum process in the UK, co-created with people who have direct experience of the UK’s Hostile Environment policies.
More Info: Free but booking required
When: 4pm - 7pm, June 22
Where: Hidden Gardens 25a Albert Drive Glasgow, G41 2PE
Taking over the Hidden Gardens for the afternoon to promote the work of some amazing projects that support refugees and asylum seekers across Scotland.
More Info: Free but booking required
We’re here, We belong & We dance: Latino Dance Project
When: 3pm - 3:30 pm, June 24
Where: Queen’s Park Arena, Queen's Park, Glasgow, Glasgow, G42 8QR
More Info: Free to attend
“Govanhill Hopes” Banner Making Workshop
When: 1pm - 5pm, June 24
Where: The Deep End
21 Nithsdale Street Glasgow, G41 2PZ
A free drop-in style banner making workshop in partnership with Print Clan to design a public art piece which will be displayed during the Festival and eventually hung in the newly refurbished Govanhill Baths.
More Info: Free but booking required
Stories of Community: Our Bodies, Our Families, Our Homes
When: 1pm - 3pm, June 25
Where: Glasgow Zine Library, 636 Cathcart Rd, Glasgow, G42 8AA
Welcoming the community to learn zine-making and share their stories of health and healing, family connections and finding home in Glasgow.
More Info: Free but booking required