Bristol Refugee Festival will return this June with a feast of events aiming to raise awareness of the contribution refugees and asylum seekers make in Bristol.
From June 6 until June 26, the festival will mark its sixth year running. This year’s theme ‘Healing Through Community’ aims to inspire change through promoting connection and community cohesion through food, music, sport, education and much-needed conversation.
Under the ‘Celebrating Sanctuary Local’ banner, this year’s festival (BRF) will be led by community gatherings. The BRF team are scouting participants who wish to get involved, and has extended the deadline to April 29 for those still keen to apply online.
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In addition, toolkits will also be available on the Bristol Refugee Festival website to assist in gathering ideas with planning and how to donate to support some of the city’s vulnerable residents. Bristol Refugee Festival’s director Jules Olsen said: “Although restrictions were still in force last year we learnt that smaller intimate spaces are ideal for nurturing connections.
“Connecting with others on a personal level leads to more meaningful conversations and greater understanding. With this in mind we have decided to concentrate on celebrating with all our fantastic and diverse communities around the city, and to defer our big central celebration for a future festival.
"We have all experienced injury or loss at some point and know how important family, friends and neighbours are in helping to ease the pain. Refugees and asylum seekers arriving in the UK have lost those strong networks and connections.
"They need help to build new ones so they can feel welcome, safe and valued, and begin to heal. This year’s Festival will help to create strong, inclusive and welcoming communities across Bristol. Bristol Refugee Festival wants to ensure everyone feels welcome in Bristol, no matter where they are from.”
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