To kick off Refugee Week a Public Debate ‘Speak up for refugees in Nottingham’ will take place at Speakers Corner in the Old Market Square (next to Brian Clough statue). A range of speakers from both refugee and host communities will be making their contributions to the debate. Come and join in. Venue: Speakers Corner, Old Market Square. Time: 10.30am
Nottingham Refugee Week 2009 is 13th – 21st June 2009. Click on ‘Read more’ for the full programme or follow this link for some of the highlights, including the ‘Who wants to be a Zimbabwean Billionaire?’ pub quiz at the Poacher on Tues 16th, and a reminder about the Small World Cinema film showing at The Sumac Centre on Wed 17th.
Nottingham City is home to a vibrant and diverse population that includes 65 refugee nationalities that have fled repressive regimes. Each individual and group offers a wealth of talent, skills and fresh ideas that contribute significantly to the economic and cultural life of the city.
Contrary to popular belief no one wants to be a refugee in a strange land, but sometimes people have to run from their homes because they are facing torture, imprisonment or even death. People who are persecuted are faced with no choice but to flee their countries, and only a tiny proportion of these people come to the UK.
Rather than demonising and excluding refugees and migrants we should recognise that each successive wave – from Ireland throughout the last century, and South Asia and the Caribbean since the 50s – have touched us all, challenged our perceptions and enriched the whole of society.
Refugee Week is a UK wide festival that celebrates the great contribution made by refugees to UK life and promotes understanding of why people become refugees. Every year hundreds of arts, cultural and educational events are organised across the UK.
For further information about all the events taking place go to:
http://www.refugeeweek.org.uk/InYourArea/England/East+Midlands/
SATURDAY 13TH JUNE
Speak up for refugees in Nottingham
Public Debate at Speakers Corner in the Old Market Square. A range of speakers from both refugee and host communities will be making their contributions to the debate. PLEASE COME DOWN AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT.
Venue: Speakers Corner, Old Market Square. Time: 10.30am
[Flyer attached]
Living Books FREE
Chat to someone from a different culture or faith and find out about their lives and experiences in Nottingham.
Venue: Central Library, Angel Row Time: 12.30 – 3.30pm Contact: Kam Harte on 9152873 for further details.
SUNDAY 14TH JUNE
Nottingham Refugee Week Launch FREE
A celebration of music and culture from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zimbabwe, Kurdistan and other countries from around the world on the main stage in the Old Market Square from 2 – 4pm. Information and food stalls, children’s art activities and face painting from 11am – 5pm. Come down, bring your family and friends and enjoy a fabulous day of free entertainment.
Part of the ‘One World Festival’ weekend 13th & 14th June.
For Saturday’s line-up check out the website
http://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1019
A FREE spectacular international programme of dance and world music featuring the best of local artists and national performers in the Old Market Square.
FULL PROGRAMME FOR SUNDAY – ONE WORLD FESTIVAL
11.0 Hoverla Ukrainian Dance Ensemble
11.30 Outre Manche – Traditional European melodies with French, Swiss and English roots
12.00 Nottingham Traditional Irish Set Dancers
12.30 Comhaltas Irish Musicians
13.00 Hoverla Ukrainian Dance Ensemble
13.30 Outre Manche – Traditional European melodies with French, Swiss and English roots
Nottingham Refugee Week Launch (2pm – 4pm)
14.00 Afro Heritage – 10 piece African Dance band
14.30 Durgesh & Alim – Traditional Afghani Music with Indian tables
14.55 Les Elus – 4 piece Congolese band playing a mix of Rumba, Zook, Folk, Gospel and Salsa
15.20 Kurdish duo / trio (tbc)
15.35 Ngoma – 5 piece Zimbabwean Dance band
16.00 Huong Thanh Trio – Traditional Vietnamese music
[Flyer attached]
MONDAY 15TH JUNE
The Betrayal (Nerakhoon)
USA 2008. Dir Ellen Kuras & Thavisouk Phrasavath 96min.
Fleeing the US government’s secret war in Laos, the Phrasavath family took refuge in Brooklyn. Once there, they found themselves in another kind of war. Director Ellen Kuras and refugee co-director Thavisouk Phrasaveth spent 20 years creating this beautiful, Oscar-nominated documentary. www.thebetrayalmovie.com
Venue: Broadway, Broad Street, Hockley NG1 3AL Time: 8.15pm Tickets: £6.20 Adults / £4.50 Concessions. Contact: 0115 952 6611 / www.broadway.org.uk
TUESDAY 16TH JUNE
Learn how to DJ workshops FREE
… and make tunes using technology and cutting edge software. All levels welcome
Venue: SEND Project Studio, Greenway Centre, Trent Lane, Sneinton NG2 4DF Time: 3-6pm (8-14 yrs olds); 7-10pm (14-19 yrs olds) Contact: 0115 9151380 / Email: beats@sendproject.com
Capoeira Angola Special Beginners Dance Sessions FREE
Venue: New Art Exchange, Hyson Green Time: 7:30 – 9:30pm Contact: Just turn up, or for more info ring 07903 114248 (Wear comfortable clothing and light shoes)
Taxi to the Dark Side
US 2007. Dir Alex Gibney. 106min. Certificate 15
This Oscar-winning film is a gripping investigation into the use of torture by the US military as part of its ‘war on terror’. A documentary murder mystery, the film examines the death of an Afghan taxi driver at Bagram Air Base, exposing a worldwide policy of detention that condones torture and ignores human rights.
Venue: Broadway, Broad Street, Hockley NG1 3AL
Quiz Night – Who wants to be a Zimbabwean Billionaire?
Pub Quiz on the Citizen Test
Organised by Nottingham Zimbabwean Community Network
Venue: Lincolnshire Poacher, 161 Mansfield Road NG1 3FR Time: 7.30pm
WEDNESDAY 17TH JUNE
City of Sanctuary Open Day FREE
Speaker: Craig Barnett (The National Organiser) What is the City of Sanctuary movement?
Hear the stories of people seeking sanctuary in Nottingham. How can we, as the host community, help? Get involved as a City of Sanctuary volunteer. Vegetarian food provided
Venue: St Stephens Church, Bobbers Mill Road, Hyson Green Time: 11am – 1pm
Jupiters Dance FILM FREE
Producers: Renaud Barret and Florent de La Tullaye DONATION FOR FOOD
A documentary film set in the ghettos of Kinshasa in the 1970s where street children, beggars, prostitutes and disabled victims of polio, strive to find their daily bread in an urban jungle that has plummeted into poverty and violence. The film shows how music is allowing these disenfranchised Congolese to stand up and be counted. Jupiter’s Dance should be obligatory viewing for all lovers of African music, as well as those who want to admire the defiance of the human spirit in this beleaguered nation.
Venue: SUMAC Centre, 245 Gladstone Street, Forest Fields Time: 7pm vegan food – 7.45pm film
Tickets: Admission free – donation for food. All proceeds to NNRF Tuesday Project For more information: www.smallworldcinema.wordpress.com
La Forteresse (The Fortress) – UK premiere
Switzerland 2008. Dir Fernand Melgar. 104min.
For the first time, a camera looks into the hidden world of a Swiss reception centre for asylum seekers. Awarding it the Golden Leopard, the Locarno festival jury cited ‘a remarkably sensitive film exhibiting profound human intelligence.’ www.laforteresse.ch
Venue: Broadway, Broad Street, Hockley NG1 3AL Time: 8.15pm
THURSDAY 18TH JUNE
Refugee Rights FREE
What are they? How are they under attack? How can they be protected?
Speakers:
Alice Edwards, Lecturer in Refugee & Human Rights Laws, University of Nottingham
Vincent Fox, Solicitor, First Call Immigration Services, Nottingham
Venue: Refugee Forum, The Square Centre, Alfred Street North NG3 1AA Time: 7.30pm followed by Q&A
FRIDAY 19TH JUNE
Rainbow Project Fundraising Dinner
Delicious African and Asian Food served with Caribbean Punch. All funds to support people seeking Asylum and Refuge
Venue: The Vine Community Centre, Bobbers Mill Road, Hyson Green Time: Arrive at 7pm – Eat at 7.30pm
Tickets: £10 / Asylum seekers & refugees free / unwaged & senior citizens (donate if able) Contact: Susannah / Dianne on 0115 9701855 dskerritt@southwell.anglican.org
Cabaret Sorbet
Cabaret Sorbet is an audio-visual live performance night incorporating an eclectic mix of music, dance, illustration, sculpture, spoken word, body art, film projections, and theatre. This month’s event has contributions from international artists / artists in exile.
Venue: The Art Organisation, Station Street Time: 8pm – 12 midnight Ticket: £2 / £3 on the door (bring your own booze)
Contact: Via myspace or facebook by typing Cabaret Sorbet, or email: cabaret-sorbet@live.co.uk or phone Anna 07804497014 / Cabaret Sorbet 07787426271
SATURDAY 20TH JUNE
Family Fun Day FREE
An afternoon of puppet-making, storytelling, dance and art workshops for all the family. FREE and open to all.
Venue: 1st Floor, Central Library, Angel Row Time: 12.30 – 3.30pm Contact: Juliet / Jason on 0115 9151180 or juliet.line@nottinghamcity.gov.uk
TUESDAY 23RD JUNE
No English? No Problem! DONATION
Are you tempted to believe the media when they say that refugees and people seeking asylum don’t want to learn English or integrate or learn about British culture? Come and join us for an upbeat, inspiring exploration of these complex issues. Booking essential! Contact us for more details.
Venue: To be confirmed when you book your place. Time: 3 – 4.30pm Contact: Tel: 0115 9582842 / Email: ncbinotts@ncbi.org.uk
This week Oxfam and their partners are making a special effort to celebrate the contribution of refugees to the UK through a series of events up and down the country.
As part of this the UK Poverty Post will be publishing some specially commissioned blogs in support of Refugee Week.
Today they begin with a post from Krisnah Poinasamy who talks about what a refugee is, previews some of the events taking place this week and outlines why Oxfam works with refugees.
http://www.oxfam.org.uk/applications/blogs/ukpp/2009/06/krisnah_poinasamy_mar_ha_ba_1.html
Check out Krisnah’s post and add your comments. Don’t forget to keep looking throughout the week for posts about the Still Human Still Here campaign, refugees living in destitution, the refugee media awards, the contribution refugees have made to British culture and much more!