Refugee Week is a countrywide programme of arts, cultural and educational events, held to celebrate the contribution refugees make to the UK. Refugee Week 2009 takes place nationally from 15-21 June. To find out more about Refugee Week, its purpose and history visit the national Refugee Week website.
In Sheffield, Refugee Week will be officially launched by the Lord Mayor, at a free celebration event held on Devonshire Green on Saturday 13 June, 10am-6pm. Many different events and activities are taking place throughout the week including:
film screenings
musical performances
book launches
football tournaments
dramatic performances
exhibitions
The full Refugee Week 2009 programme leaflet is downloadable from www.nrcentre.org.uk
Saturday June 13th
10am-6pm
"Together in Sheffield" and Refugee Week launch
The Lord Mayor of Sheffield launches Refugee Week 2009 with a concert of music, dancing, martial arts and a video exhibition by IOM
Devonshire Green, Division Street, S1
Contact: Ouattara: 07944551004; ouattara@hotmail.co.uk
Monday June 15th
1-4pm
"Let's go fly a kite" - join Sheffield Conversation Club for a fun afternoon flying kites
Mount Pleasant Park, S7 1BA
Contact: Dianne Patterson conversation@diannep.f9.co.uk
5.30pm
"Congo - DRC, The Silent Genocide" - screening of a documentary, "The Greatest Silence: Rape in the Congo", followed by discussion about the consequences of this ongoing war.
Library Theatre, Surrey Street, S1 1XZ.
Admission free. Adults (18+) only
Contact: James Kazadi, "Africatime": jameskazadi@yahoo.fr
Films at the Showroom
"Grow Your Own" (13.15 and 16.15 showings )
Comedy about refugees working on an allotment
Showroom Cinema, Paternoster Row, S1 2BX
Box Office: 0114 275 7727
Tuesday June 16th
Films at the Showroom
"Grow Your Own" (15.30 and 20.30 showings )
Comedy about refugees working on an allotment
Showroom Cinema, Paternoster Row, S1 2BX
Box Office: 0114 275 7727
7.30pm
New Drama by Side by Side theatre group plus Salsa dance group and Swahili Centre Fashion Show.
Library Theatre, Surrey Street, S1 1XZ
Entrance free - donations welcome!
Contact: Shuna Beckett: 07908 782712; http://www.squarecirclearts.co.uk/
Wednesday June 17th
1-4pm
‘Living Library - True Stories of Escape' - Come and meet local refugees talking about their experiences. Talking books that actually talk back!
Central Library, Surrey Street, S1 1XZ
Contact: Dan Marshall dan.marshall@sheffield.gov.uk 0114 293 0006
Films at the Showroom
"The Visitor" (13.15 and 18.15 showings )
Film about a friendship between an American professor and an illegal immigrant couple,
Showroom Cinema, Paternoster Row, S1 2BX
Box Office: 0114 275 7727
7pm
"Voices in Exile" - listen while the voices in exile take us on a journey illuminating in poetry and prose the extraordinary hope that shines through adversity.
Quaker Meeting House, St James Street, S1 2EW
Contact: Conversation Club; Dianne Patterson conversation@diannep.f9.co.uk
Thursday June 18th
8.30am-4.30pm
Community Cohesion - conference for schools and communities and those working with refugee and asylum seeking children
Holiday Inn, Victoria Station Road, S4 7YE
Contact: Basil Sage: 0114 2506886; 07753 904617; basil.sage@sheffield.gov.uk
10am-2.30pm
Every Migrant Matters conference organised by South Yorkshire Refugee Forum
Sheffield Hallam University
Contact: Radmila: 07788998342; radmila.fortune-west@nrcentre.org.uk
12.30-2.30pm
Launch of "Women's Voices" poetry book, featuring poetry and stories by refugee women
St Matthews Rooms, Carver St, S1 4FS
Women's Conversation Club: 07788998342 radmila.fortune-west@nrcentre.org.uk
NB: This event is for women only
Films at the Showroom
"The Visitor" (15.30 and 20.30 showings)
Film about a friendship between an American professor and an illegal immigrant couple,
Showroom Cinema, Paternoster Row, S1 2BX
Box Office: 0114 275 7727
7pm
'Asylum Dialogues' - IceandFire theatre and Actors for Human Rights present stories of friendship and solidarity between British people and those seeking sanctuary here.
Upper Chapel, Norfolk Street, S1 2JD
Tickets: £6. bookable from: actorsnorth@iceandfire.co.uk also available on the door.
Free for unwaged
Contact: www.iceandfire.co.uk
Friday June 19th
10am-4pm
Presentation of Training Awards - to service users. live acts & music featuring service users from Refugee Support, Community Training Service, Burngreave After School Study Support Project plus other community based acts. Food & refreshments, children's entertainment
SADACCA, 48 The Wicker, S3 8JB
Admission Free
Contact: Barry Brown 0114 2675250; Barrington.Brown@mst-online.org.uk
11am-2pm
"Let Them Work" celebration - trade unions and refugees together. A regional event with dancing, music, and lunch provided.
Wheeler Hall, Cathedral Conference Centre, St Anne's Street, LS2 8BE
To book a place contact tom.viita@refugeecouncil.org.uk 07776 203 404
12-5pm
Conversation Club at the Botanical Gardens - join us for stimulating conversation, cultural exchange, films, kite flying and international food
Botanical Gardens Thompson Road entrance, , S10 2LN
Contact: Dianne Patterson conversation@diannep.f9.co.uk
7pm
World Over 2009 Concert: A night of international music, art and dance to celebrate Refugee Week 2009, in aid of ASSIST www.assistsheffield.org.uk
Montgomery Hall, Surrey Street, S1 2LG
Tickets available (£5 flat rate) from: www.wegottickets.com
Contact: Dan 07854955456; assist_efa@hotmail.co.uk
Saturday June 20th
11am-2pm
‘Different Pasts, Shared Future' - Gateway refugees celebrate Refugee Week alongside the wider community in Sheffield with entertainment, cultural dances and songs, food and life skill share and a Gateway football tournament.
Venue: Burngreave Vestry Hall, 2 Burngreave Road, S3 9DD
Admission free
Contact: Joseph G. Walker: 07853252160;winwalker2003@yahoo.com or Akoi Bazzie: 07954163365; Massayan2002@yahoo.com
2.30pm - 3.30pm,
'The World came to my library today' - discover where in the world many of your favourite things came from - a story and activity session for ages 6-12 years.
Central Children's Library, Surrey Street, S1 1XZ
Contact: Lesley Docherty 0114 273 4734; lesley.docherty@sheffield.gov.uk
12noon - 5pm
Sheffield All Nations Tournament - refugee and asylum seeker football competition
Goodwin Sports Field, Northumberland Road, S10 2TY
Organised by Football Unites, Racism Divides (FURD) in partnership with the Sheffield and Hallamshire County FA.
Contact: Desbon Bushiri: 0114 255 3156; desbon@furd.org
Sunday June 21st
10.45am (for 11am departure) "Picnic at Padley Gorge"
join Sheffield Conversation Club for a round walk from Fox House to Grindleford.
Please wear clothes suitable for all weather, strong walking shoes or boots. Bring Food to share and a drink.
We will travel by public transport, catching the 272 Bus from Sheffield Interchange to Fox House leaving at 11am and aim to return for 5pm. We cannot guarantee a place on the bus and it would be useful to know in advance the numbers planning to come. There is also a possibility that the walk may be cancelled if the weather is bad.
For more information phone Ralph on 07985916683
Exhibitions, displays, events
"Reading Escapes" - a special collection of books about, or inspired by, refugees and the idea of escape. This will be placed in the central library for people to borrow from.
Location: Central Library, Surrey Street, S1 1XZ
"Diversity in Volunteering - a celebration"
Photo exhibition highlighting the contribution of volunteers from diverse backgrounds giving their time to help charities in Sheffield.
Location: Volunteer Centre Sheffield, The Circle, 33 Rockingham Street, S1 4FW
Open from June 2nd, 9am-5pm weekdays
Contact: Roo Mahmid: 0114 253 6649
Plus Saturday June 27th, You've got Talent!
Fashion and talent show for 8-18 year olds, 1-6pm at Croft House, Garden Street, S1 4BJ
Contact Rose Bazzie: 07757 491 233