Guest blog by Gaby D’Annunzio (freelance radio producer & DJ)
This year, we’ve worked closely with radio stations across Europe to bring you an incredible lineup of shows. These feature music, discussions, and live performances, all celebrating resilience, creativity, and community.
In collaboration with Worldwide FM, the London-based station founded by Gilles Peterson, we programmed a series of radio shows. Among the standout shows is Magdalena Moursy’s Voices from Afghanistan, which provides an intimate exploration of Afghan stories and showcases the rich beauty and culture of their music. Another must-listen is Kamal from Flamingods’ music special, which delves into themes of home while celebrating the vibrant and diverse sounds of the SWANA regions. Equally captivating is the Compass Collective show, featuring mentor and producer Kensaye alongside Collective members, who present their latest music creations, including a track that pays tribute to a sense of home.
In Bristol, we teamed up with Noods Radio, a station celebrated for its eclectic programming and vital role in Bristol’s cultural landscape. Among the noteworthy shows is Katie Novo’s interview with MoYah, where they discussed his musical journey and the social justice influences drawn from the vibrant sounds of Mozambique. Additionally, the Dhaqan Collective, led by Ayan Cilmi and Fozia Ismail, shared their inspiring work as a feminist art group committed to supporting Somali communities in the UK and East Africa, while preserving and celebrating their cultural heritage.
In London’s Brick Lane, Radio 1001 presented a showcase of emerging DJs from The Babylon Project. This broadcast was the culmination of a DJ workshop series led by Gaby D’Annunzio at Corsica Studios, highlighting the spirit of these up-and-coming talents. Listen back to the performances of these young creatives and enjoy a diverse range of sounds from around the world.
In Berlin, we partnered with THF Radio, a community-focused platform based at the historic Tempelhof Airport. Among the notable shows is Sounds of Homeland, hosted by Acidfinky. It takes listeners on a journey through the melodies of Afghanistan, Syria, and Sudan, capturing the emotional connections to home and the challenges of displacement. Also featured on THF Radio and a must-listen is the show by SONKO, where Emmy and Melissa discuss deportation practices and grassroots organising to resist them.
Refuge Worldwide partnered with Ola Radio, RBL, and Stegi Radio to present a daily broadcast during Refugee Week. Highlights include Nicky Böhm’s Sonnenalle: A Sense of Home, which delves into the experiences of Arab migrants in Berlin, exploring themes of identity and belonging. Another key radio show comes from the story of Josephina Jouda, which sheds light on refugee experiences and queer challenges in Africa.
For more radio shows, please see them all listed below:
Worldwide FM is a London-based online radio station founded by DJ and music producer Gilles Peterson in 2016. The station broadcasts a diverse range of music from around the globe, focusing on underground and emerging artists across various genres.
Host: Magdalena Moursy
Produced by Magdalena Moursy, this show presents the personal stories of Afghans and showcases the beauty and culture of their music. It includes an interview and session with Rubab player Milad Yousofi, as well as a special live performance from father-son duo Yusuf and Ariz Mahmoud on Talba, Dotar, and Harmonium.
Host and guest: Christina Hazboun and Etaf
Listening to Asylum For The Soul, where sonic agent Christina Hazboun hosts Kuwaiti singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist to speak of the matriarchal movements within their history, the music that moved them emotionally.
Flamingods Music Special Exploring Themes of Home
Host: Kamal from Flamingods
Flamingods is a four-piece, multi-instrumental band from Bahrain and London. The group explores and experiments with an array of influences, from western psychedelia, jazz, and indie to a wide-eyed obsession with music from the East. One of the band members, Kamal, has put together a radio special celebrating music from the SWANA regions.
Compass Collective Spotlight Music
Host and guest: Gaby D’Annunzio and Kensaye
Compass Collective empowers unaccompanied minor refugees and young asylum seekers through theatre, music, and film projects, helping them build resilience. This show features a conversation with Kensaye, a mentor and music producer, alongside members of the Collective. Together, they present their latest music productions and songs that pay homage to their sense of home.
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THF Radio is a community-driven platform that amplifies diverse voices and stories, based at the historic Tempelhof Airport in Berlin.
Refugee Week Special: Sounds of Homeland
Host: Acidfinky
Explore music from Afghanistan, Syria, and Sudan – countries that have experienced significant refugee crises. The carefully curated tracks showcases poignant melodies and lyrics that speak of home, homeland, and the complex emotions tied to displacement.
Refugee Week Special: Sounds of Congo
Host: Josiane
Discover the vibrant musical landscape of Congo, showcasing the country’s diverse artistic expressions and cultural heritage.
Refugee Week Special: Sounds of Ukrainian
Host: Dasha Atom
Discover the sounds of Ukraine, celebrating the nation’s musical traditions and contemporary artists.
Refugee Week Special: Deportation Discussion
Host and guests: SONKO, Emmy & Melissa
Join THF resident SONKO for an insightful discussion with organisers Emmy and Melissa on deportation policies, their underlying logic, and grassroots efforts to resist them.
Refugee Week Special: Music as Expression and Resilience
Host and guest: Ubax & RealMo
Sahra interviews RealMo, an Iranian producer and musician, who shares his experiences navigating the German asylum system. RealMo discusses his recent musical productions and his work teaching children to use rap as a tool for self-expression and building resilience.
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Noods Radio is a dynamic community radio station based in Bristol, UK. Known for its diverse and eclectic programming. The station provides a platform for local and international DJs, musicians, and creatives to share their unique sounds and perspectives. With a strong focus on community engagement, Noods Radio has become a vital part of Bristol’s vibrant cultural scene.
Host and guest: Katie Novo and MoYah
Katie Novo interviews MoYah from May Project Gardens, delving into his musical journey, his production work, and the powerful social justice influences in his music, inspired by the vibrant sounds of Mozambique.
Dhaqan Collective & The House of Weaving Songs
Hosts: Ayan Cilmi and Fozia Ismail
Dhaqan Collective, led by Ayan Cilmi and Fozia Ismail, is a Somali feminist art group focused on creating imaginative futures that support Somali people in the UK and East Africa in preserving their cultural heritage. In this episode, they explore the Cassette Tapes project, and their latest project, The House of Weaving Songs, which highlights Somali nomadic life through the musicality of women’s weaving songs. Wander through nomadic tapestries adorned with tales of tradition and resilience, each thread weaving a story of heritage and belonging.
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Refuge Worldwide originally a fundraising platform, now amplifies music and issues of importance while hosting free workshops and training programmes for the wider community. The station collaborates globally with like-minded collectives, radio stations, and activists, supporting grassroots and non-profit organisations.
Refugee Week | Nicky Böhm, Hiba Obaid & Mohamed Badarne
Host and guests: Nicky Böhm, Hiba Obaid and Mohamed Badarne
The writer Hiba Obaid and photographer Mohamed Badarne discuss what makes Sonnenalle in Berlin feel like home for many migrants from the Arab region and how it inspired their documentary photographic project ‘Wanas’. ‘Wanas’ (Arabic): a feeling of, for example, being on your own when you hear a song or come across a smell that reminds you of your homeland and you want to ‘hug’ it, absorb it.
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Ola Radio is a vibrant radio station based in Marseille, known for its diverse, multifaceted, and unique community. Established in late 2021, the station is supported by Olga Productions, a label committed to pushing the sonic and geographical boundaries of electronic music from Marseille and beyond.
Conversation With Josephina Jouda
Host and guest: Alexandre Peron and Josephina Jouda
In this radio show, listeners will hear the story of Josephina Jouda, a talented performer now based in Marseille who left Tunisia a few years ago. The show delves into her experiences as a refugee in France and explores the challenges faced by queer individuals in Africa.
Rencontre avec RAMINA (French episode)
Host and guests: Alexandre Peron, Luna and Youssouf
In this radio show, listeners can tune in for a discussion with Luna and Youssouf from the organisation Ramina. The episode will explore Ramina’s work in Marseille, focusing on providing shelter and support for isolated refugee youth.
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Stegi Radio is a community-driven online radio station based in Athens, Greece. It serves as a platform for diverse voices, showcasing local and international music, cultural programming, and discussions on social issues.
Home as a Fundamental Human Right
Host and guests. Mamorinos Sebgo, Nikos Deji Odubitan & Paul Oska
In this episode, hear discussions with Nikos Deji Odubitan from Generation 2.0 and Paul Oska exploring the multifaceted concept of “home” and its significance as a fundamental human right. They delve into topics such as housing and social justice issues.
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RBL is an international online radio based in Turin, Berlin, Barcelona, and Istanbul that uses radio as a creative expression for its community.
Refugee Week Special: Conversations Around Home.
This radio show features conversations with four migrants: a Kurdish refugee, two Afghan refugees, and an economic migrant from Nigeria. It explores their personal conceptions of home, their journeys to settle in Italy, and what makes them feel at home. The show also includes an interview with an Italian integration operator, who provides insight into the workings of the system and the challenges faced by both migrants and local communities.
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A female lead South East London-based community radio station.
Sister Midnight Foundation FM Takeover
Sister Midnight did a takeover on Foundation FM. Here you can listen to special mini-mixes from Lewisham Anti-Raids and Fairbeats discussing community, resistance and music.
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Rocket Radio is a community radio devoted to music culture and the promotion of independent artists, with bases in Verona, Bologna, and Milan. Founded in Verona, Italy, in 2014, Rocket Radio has, over the years, become a crossroads for creative people keen to participate in a community project that supports and gives voice to emerging artists through a network of local and international partnerships.
In this radio show, listeners can enjoy The Stregoni Network, a project about music and migration curated by Johnny Mox and Above the Tree. Active since 2016, Stregoni Network has used music workshops, public events, and travels to give voice to asylum seekers and refugees, creating a network that extends beyond music itself. Listen back to this fantastic recording of the live performance.
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Radio 80000 is a community radio, streaming live every day from Munich. Founded in 2015, it has evolved to a platform promoting collaboration and cultural expression through music, dialogue and events throughout Germany. DJs, musicians, producers, journalists and music lovers present an individual idea of radio that goes beyond algorithms and commercial playlists
Mental Health and Psychosocial Support for Refugees with IPSO
In this radio show, listeners can learn about IPSO (International Psychosocial Organisation), an NGO specialising in mother-tongue psychosocial counselling and mental health care for refugees and migrants. The show includes music selected by IPSO’s Berlin-based counsellors and staff, who have migrant or refugee backgrounds.
Hosts: Prof. Dr. Martin Sökefeld and Camila Reuss
In this radio feature hosted by Prof. Dr. Martin Sökefeld and Camila Reuss, listeners delve into the experiences of Afghans trying to reach Germany. The show examines a German programme designed to assist Afghans in safely entering the country, which initially pledged to admit 1,000 people per month. However, two years later, only 400 individuals have been admitted. The feature investigates the reasons behind these challenges and explores the barriers preventing their entry.
Host: Jinda Nasro
In this music and chat show, Jinda Nasro explores the theme of home through a personal lens, sharing her family’s journey from Syria. The episode features a blend of music and conversation, offering listeners a deep dive into Nasro’s experiences and reflections on the concept of home, displacement, and cultural identity.
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Located in the heart of Brick Lane in London, this radio station broadcasts via YouTube, attracting sounds from all over London and beyond.
Babylon Project Students | Pop, Hip Hop and Rap
The Babylon Project and Gaby D’Annunzio hosted a series of DJ workshops at Corsica Studios, culminating in a spectacular showcase on Radio 1001. Listen back to the young creatives’ performances and enjoy the diverse sounds from all around the world.
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Located in Budapest, on the edge of a former factory in a multicultural neighbourhood, this community radio station is part of a vibrant hub that includes media, art, economy, sports, and a garden. Lahmacun Radio showcases diverse subcultures from Hungary’s capital and features international show hosts. They host parties centred on specific music genres or themes celebrating their community’s rich cultural tapestry.
Refugee Week special: Geigercounterculture’s Time Tourist
Enjoy an ambient, soothing radio mix by Igor Bartolec. “No matter how corrupt, greedy, and heartless our government, our corporations, our media, and our religious & charitable institutions may become, the music will still be wonderful.” – Kurt Vonnegut, A Man Without a Country Time Tourist.