The programme will include live music, film screenings, and dinners hosted by celebrity chefs.This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Fairfield House, where the main event will be taking place(Image: Western Gazette)
Bath Refugee Festival returns tomorrow with eight days of art, music, food, and talks held by local refugees.
The festival, which spans from Saturday, June 13 to Saturday, June 20, will celebrate the experiences of refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers.
Festival founder Hiba Elhindi said: “When I moved to Bath, I was struck by the city’s beauty and welcoming atmosphere, but I also recognised the challenges that many newcomers can face when trying to build connections and find community.
“The festival was created to celebrate the diverse cultures and experiences that enrich our city, while creating spaces where people can come together, learn from one another and build lasting relationships.”
Elhindi, who is a Sudanese-British arts practitioner, was inspired to set up the festival after working with refugee and migrant communities in nearby Bristol. The first ever Bath Refugee Festival was held at Fairfield House last year and welcomed around 400 people.
This year the festival is back with a broad range of activities, from an evening of Ukrainian culture with dinner prepared by MasterChef finalist Iryna Malenka to a tour of Bath’s history of refugees led by the Mayor’s Guide.
The week will end with the festival’s flagship event Celebrating Sanctuary at Fairfield House. There will be food, poetry, music, discussions, and speeches from refugees.
Celebrating Sanctuary will include a Vietnamese summer roll demonstration with Noya’s Kitchen, a Sudanese coffee experience, Sudanese and Palestinian poetry, music from Hong Kong, African drumming, Brazilian Fuxico textile craft workshops, and much more.
The final event will take place from 1 to 7pm on Saturday, June 20.
Bath Refugee Festival forms part of National Refugee Week, which kicks off on Monday, June 15 with events throughout the country. This year, the theme is ‘courage’.
Elhindi reflected: “Bath Refugee Festival is about more than a series of events. It is about recognising the value that refugees and migrants bring to our communities, creating opportunities for cultural expression and participation, and ensuring that everyone who calls Bath home feels they belong.”
Bath Refugee Festival is being held from Saturday, June 13 until Saturday, June 20. You can see a full programme of events and book tickets online.
Many of the events are free, but you should still book in advance.