A festival for everyone: Refugee Week Scotland, 17 – 23 June 2013.

Refugee Week Scotland is an exciting programme of events happening across the country to celebrate diversity and raise awareness of refugee issues. Heritage is at the heart of this year’s celebration, with many events highlighting togetherness and commonality through music, dance and food as well as the unique and surprising contributions of new Scots to communities. With well over one hundred arts  and cultural events set to take place across Scotland from 17 – 23 June, there is a little something for everyone to enjoy coming up.

Paisley Arts Centre is just one of the cultural venues participating in the week-long celebration; bringing you top notch theatre, an astonishing photography exhibition and an uplifting film with a football theme. Plus we are delighted to have worked with local community groups, namely Renfrewshire Effort to Empower Minorities (REEM) and African Association of Communities in Renfrewshire (AACR) when programming this year’s events.

Please see below for more information on each of the Refugee Week events taking place at Paisley Arts Centre.

Exhibition: Spirit 

Launched in 2012 by the Scottish Refugee Council in partnership with Streetlevel Photoworks, Spirit is an inspiring photography project supported by the Big Lottery Fund.

Based on interviews and photographs taken by Refugee participants, this inspiring photographic exhibition explores what ‘spirit’ means to our communities and people in Scotland today.

Spirit will be on display at Paisley Arts Centre from 4 June – 1 July. Admission is free.

Film: Africa United 

Chosen by the Association of African Communities in Renfrewshire (AACR), Africa United (12A) is an extraordinary story of three Rwandan children who walk 3000 miles to the Football World Cup in South Africa. The film will be followed by a short performance from Renfrewshire Effort to Empower Minorities (REEM).

Africa United will be shown at Paisley Arts Centre on 18 June at 7pm. Tickets to the film are free, but should still be booked to ensure seats. Call the Box Office on 0300 300 1210.

Theatre: Some Other Mother 

Making its debut and touring nationally as part of Refugee Week 2013, Some Other Mother is a touching story of loss and survival written by A J Taudevin with support from the Tron Theatre, Stellar Quines and the Scottish Refugee Council.

High up in her Glasgow tower block, ten-year old Star and her mother await the outcome of their claim for asylum. As Mama’s mind fragments under the pressure of their unknown future, Star constructs a poetic and fantastical world of her own.

Some Other Mother will be at Paisley Arts Centre on 20 June at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £10 (£6 conc) and can be booked by calling the Box Office on 0300 300 1210 or going online to www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/onlinebooking Suitable for ages 14+

For further information on any of our Refugee Week Scotland events, future exhibitions or shows log on to www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/events or follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/renfrewshirearts.

Author

Founder of Paisley.org.uk in 1998 and constantly strives to change peoples attitudes to the town, Brian is a self described Paisley Digital Champion who promotes Paisley via any means necessary. You can also follow me on X