Guest blog by Bristol Refugee Festival
Bristol Refugee Festival is crowdfunding to keep their vibrant events programme free, inclusive and accessible.
The festival, a fortnight of music, food, culture and sports events celebrating the skills and contribution of refugees, was established in 2017. In 2023 over 6,000 people took part, i
ncluding nearly 1000 refugees and asylum seekers.
The much-loved flagship event in Queen Square, a staple of Bristol’s cultural calendar since 2005, saw thousands gather in the sunshine to enjoy a day of family activities, food, music, and refugee performers.
Celebrating Sanctuary events across Bristol in 2023 included a community picnic in Knowle West, women’s crafts at the Arnolfini, a Page Park fun day and the beloved annual Our City Community Cup football tournament in Lockleaze.
Diego Pena, a refugee writer and photographer, said:
“Bristol is a city with its heart in the community, and the people living in it. Bristol Refugee Festival (BRF) embraces cultural diversity, giving people from different backgrounds the opportunity to be part of something big just by expressing themselves and doing whatever they love doing.
“I’ve seen people going through really bad times, children having to learn before time how to keep moving forward, and adults breaking because they have endured already too much. BRF is a fresh blow of air saying to them ‘We will cry together, and we will smile again together.’”
The festival makes a genuine difference, tackling the social isolation that refugees say is their biggest challenge in everyday life (see Migrants Organise; Refugee Action) and increasing compassion, connection and understanding.
Joel Zuniga, a BRF ambassador who fled political unrest in Nicaragua and organised the festival’s first Latin American event in 2022 – attended by nearly 500 people – said:
“Bristol Refugee Festival is special because it promotes inclusion, equality and creates welcoming spaces for everyone. It is important because all the different communities can express their culture through customs, food, music, dance – this is special because it is an expression by refugees and asylum seekers. It creates a sense of belonging a
nd helps us to integrate.”
Donations could contribute to transport for refugees and asylum seekers to attend an event, or a meal when they arrive; a fair fee for a refugee musician to perform or training for BRF’s refugee ambassadors.
BRF Director Jules Olsen said:
“Our festival programme is a huge collective effort and brings much joy each year. But as costs rise, it’s becoming increasingly challenging to fund activities and ensure that the people who need our help most can lead and participate in the programme.
“We strongly believe in the right for everyone to live safe, healthy and fulfilling lives. Donations will enable us to help refugees and asylum seekers build vital community connections and feel welcome and able to become active community members.”
Link: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/
Bristol Refugee Festival 2024 will run citywide June 8-23. Programme due for release on May 13.
www.bristolrefugeefestival.org