CAN and HOME are working in partnership to produce a programme of arts for Refugee Week between 2018 – 2022, celebrating the contributions that refugees and asylum seekers make to the cultural, political, social and economic life of the UK.
The first partnership festival was hosted at HOME in June 2018. As local and global politics collide, fuelling tensions around migration and refuge, the festival aimed to be a city centre-based Northern response to a global phenomenon that we feel brings enormous potential to this region.
Greater Manchester has a proud tradition of providing sanctuary to people fleeing oppression and conflict and this is something worth celebrating. The festival also provided a visible, high profile platform for the region’s emerging talent, and opportunities for new cultural production and engagement.
This year’s programme included music, theatre, film, exhibitions and workshops. With new theatre voices, music and poetry from Iran and Syria, beautiful Soukous and Rumba music from DR Congo, a workshop programme, films, exhibitions and installations challenging audiences to think and feel.
The 2018 festival was a huge success, enjoyed by hundreds of people from diverse backgrounds, who celebrated the contributions, creativity and resilience of people new to the region. We look forward to hosting the next inspiring, powerful and moving Refugee Week Festival at HOME in June 2019.
