Every year, Refugee Week aims to celebrate and raise awareness of the contributions of refugees to society, while fostering solidarity and community inclusion of people from refugee backgrounds.
It is celebrated each year across the United Kingdom in June, with events celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary.
Last year Europe saw a fresh refugee crisis emerge in the wake of Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, after which more than 3 million people were soon forced to leave their homes in Ukraine. As a result, the war was a key focus of the discussions during last year’s refugee week.
This year, the events will take place from 19 - 25 June, to coincide with World Refugee Day, on June 20.
But what exactly is Refugee Week, what’s this year’s theme, and what events are taking place?
When is Refugee Week 2023?
Refugee Week takes place from 19 - 25 of June, and anyone can take part, by holding an event or taking part in an activity.
Refugee Week UK is organised by Counterpoints Arts, an organisation who support art created by migrants and refugees, with the aim of inspiring social change and helping people from migrant backgrounds to be included in society.
What is the theme of Refugee Week 2023?
The theme of Refugee Week 2023 is compassion.
Organisers of the event are encouraging people to express their compassion, and reflect on what the concept means to them.
Refugee Week states: “The last few years have been challenging for all of us. We are still adjusting to new realities post-lockdown as well as responding to new crises. In the UK, dangerous anti-migration government rhetoric continues, along with inhumane conditions for asylum seekers.
But, none of these things happen in isolation. We know how interconnected our world is: how something seemingly “far away” impacts everyone. All of this makes us even more aware of the need to widen our circles of compassion.
Within our own experiences are all the tools we need to be compassionate, not just to ourselves and those in our immediate circle but to all our human neighbours and our one shared home, planet earth.”
What is the history of Refugee Week?
Refugee Week was founded in 1998 and is held every year around World Refugee Day on the 20 June, Refugee Week is also a growing global movement.
What events are taking place in London for Refugee Week 2023?
There are a whole range of events taking place across London and the rest of the country for Refugee Week 2023.
Here are some of the events worth looking out for in the capital this week.
Films
There will be several special film screenings in the capital over the week, including:
Name Me Lawand — Film Premiere & Discussion
Ole Jacobs & Arne Büttner: Nasim — Film Screening
In This World — Film Screening and Reading
Artwork
Supporting works of art has been a continually important part of Refugee Week, and this year is no different. Some of the artwork on show includes:
Compassionate Cyanotype Printmaking — A Journey Through Nature-Based Integration
“You can see me, but I don’t exist” — Exhibition of Photography and Writing
Book Launch — Conversations From Calais
In This World — Film Screening and Reading
Comedy
There will also be plenty of laughter for people to catch on Refugee Week, including the following events:
Laff-Uccino with Nish Kumar
Jali by Oliver Twist
