Celebrate the contribution to life in Hackney of refugees, migrants and people seeking asylum, with Hackney’s Refugee Week 2024 programme
A series of events this week will raise awareness about and celebrate the contributions of refugees, migrants and people seeking asylum in Hackney.
Hackney’s Refugee Week 2024 programme:
- Immerse yourself in traditional music, storytelling and delicious cuisine in a free celebration of Ukrainian culture at Dalston Eastern Curve Garden on Monday 22 July from 6-9:30pm. Reserve your spot. SOLD OUT
- Enjoy an evening of films that explore the theme of Our Home at Dalston CLR James Library on Wednesday 24 July from 6-7:45pm. Find out more.
- After the regular Rhymes and Stories session at Dalston CLR James Library on Saturday 27 July from 11am-12pm, there will be children's activities on the theme of this year's Refugee Week and free children's books in a number of languages that you can take home. Find out more.
- Hackney Libraries has shared a list of recommended reading, watching and listening that share the experience of refugees, migrants and people seeking asylum here.
Refugee Week, hosted by the Welcome Hackney team in collaboration with Hackney Libraries, also sees the launch of a new small grants programme to deliver activities for refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants living in Hackney. Organisations can apply for grants of up to £1000 from Monday 22 July until Monday 19 August at 5pm.
To apply for a grant, organisations should complete the application form here. Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application before Monday 2 September. For any questions about the application process or to discuss a proposal informally, please contact the Welcome Hackney team at RMAS.Service@hackney.gov.uk
Hackney's 2024 Refugee Week programme, originally scheduled to take place during UK Refugee Week in June, replicates Refugee Week’s theme of ‘Our Home’.
Notes
National Refugee Week
Refugee Week is the world’s largest arts and culture festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary. Established in 1998 in the UK, the annual festival aligns with World Refugee Day, celebrated globally on 20 June. https://refugeeweek.org.uk/
Hackney is proud to celebrate the ongoing contributions of refugees, migrants and people seeking asylum with a series of events and activities throughout the summer. This year’s theme, 'Our Home' is at the heart of our celebrations, directly supporting the well-being of residents and strengthening existing community partnerships. It’s vital that we recognise and acknowledge the contribution to life in Hackney of refugees, migrants and people seeking asylum. This week’s programme demonstrates our commitment to supporting these communities and becoming a borough of sanctuary. We hope the line-up of events increases public awareness of the challenges and experiences faced by refugees, including their reasons for fleeing and the obstacles they may encounter when seeking safety and building a life in the UK.By fostering empathy and understanding, we aim to break down stereotypes and misconceptions.
Cllr Carole Williams, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Equalities