LET'S TAKE A LOOK BACK AT 2009'S EXCITING EVENTS...
That's not me' and Safety First
This exhibition was about people who have had to flee their homelands to find safety in the U.K. It focused particularly on the personal stories of asylum seekers in contrast to the media's misconceptions and looked at the destitution of refused asylum seekers. Part of the Photoradar festival and Refugee Week.
Refuge: Photography and personal stories that challenge the myths around asylum
Central Library
This was a unique photographic exhibition capturing both the struggles and the achievements of refugees launched to mark National Refugee Week. The stunning images, by photographer Claudia Janke for Refugee Action, revealed the way the asylum system affects people’s everyday lives – particularly those who are forced into destitution. They also celebrated the huge achievements that can be made when refugee and British communities come together.
Speak up for refugees in Nottingham
Speakers Corner, Old Market Square
This great event featured a range of speakers from both refugee and host communities.
Living Books Event
Central Library, Angel Row
This was a chance to chat to someone from a different culture or faith and find out about their lives and experiences in Nottingham.
Café Sneinton
Sneinton Hermitage Community Centre
Everyone was welcome to this event which had food from around the world, music and salsa. There was also a CD and book swop shop.
Refugee Week Launch
Old Market Square, Nottingham City Centre
The sun was shining and this event was a great day out! There was a spectacular programme of dance and world music on the main stage throughout the day featuring the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zimbabwe, Kurdistan and other countries from around the world. Many visitors came to the information stalls to find out more about refugees and Refugee Week. The amazing metal animal sculptures by a refugee artist attracted a lot of attention and the art stalls and children’s face painting were very popular. Thanks to everyone who took part in making this such an enjoyable event!
Sneinton Timebank
TRACS Neighbourhood Centre
This was an opportunity to exchange skills and services without the need for money (http://sneintontimebank.wordpress.com)
FILM - The Betrayal
Broadway
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
Learn how to DJ workshops
This was a workshop aimed at all levels where peope could learn how to DJ and make tunes using technology and cutting edge software.
Capoeira Angola Special Beginners Dance Sessions
This taster was open to anyone who turned up.
FILM - Taxi to the Dark Side
Broadway
A showing of the Oscar-winning film which investigates 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. www.broadway.org.uk
Quiz Night – Who wants to be a Zimbabwean Billionaire?
Lincolnshire Poacher
This great Refugee Week event was a Pub Quiz on the Citizen Test organised by Nottingham Zimbabwean Community Network
City of Sanctuary Open Day
St Stephens Church
This event looked at the stories of people seeking sanctuary in Nottingham.and how the host community can get involved. There was a talk about the CIty of Sanctuary movement by Craig Barnett (The National Organiser).
FILM - Jupiters Dance
SUMAC Centre
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.
FILM - La Forteresse (The Fortress)
Broadway Cinema
The film was introduced by Refugee Action and was followed by a short Q&A.
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 www.broadway.org.uk
Parents & Toddlers Group
Sneinton Old School Hall
This event was for children aged from 0 – 5 years of age. There were toys, slides, art & craft activities, and snacks.
Refugee Rights: International and Domestic Perspectives
The Square Centre
Speakers were Alice Edwards, Lecturer in Refugee & Human Rights Laws, University of Nottingham and Vincent Fox, Solicitor, First Call Immigration Services, Nottingham
Rainbow Project Fundraising Dinner
The Vine Community Centre
Delicious African and Asian Food was served with Caribbean Punch. All funds went to support people seeking Asylum and Refuge
Cabaret Sorbet
The Art Organisation
June's Cabaret Sorbet had contributions from international artists / artists in exile. It was an audio-visual live performance night incorporating an eclectic mix of music, dance, illustration, sculpture, spoken word, body art, film projections, and theatre.
Family Fun Day
Central Library,
This was a great afternoon of puppet-making, storytelling, dance and art workshops for all the family.
No English? No Problem!
This was a chance to take part in an upbeat, inspiring exploration of complex issues such as - 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?
