Welcome to Refugee Week 2008 in the West Midlands!
The West Midlands celebrated the 10th anniversary of Refugee Week with a packed programme of events and activities across the Region.
This is just a snap shot of the Regional programme, please see the local pages for full reviews of events in Birmingham and Coventry and for more photos!
Celebrating Sanctuary Festival - Saturday 14 June, Birmingham City Centre
To kick off Refugee Week 2008, Celebrating Sanctuary Birmingham provided a free open-air festival of music, activities, displays and interactive performances.
World music was brought to Chamberlain Square, where local musicians from refugee backgrounds showcased their talent.
In Victoria Square, Refugee Community Organisations continued the theme through interactive music and dance workshops as well as displays, stalls, educational and awareness-raising activities for children and adults alike.
The mock refugee camp was back this year, allowing the public to experience life and activities in a refugee camp - whether it was rationing food or pumping water!
Food sampling, face painting, circus skills and further street entertainment heightened the festival atmosphere.
For photos of the day's events, see BBC Birmingham Celebrating Sanctuary photo gallery.
Refugee Day 2008 in Walsall 
Saturday 14 June, The New Art Gallery Walsall
Walsall hosted its own performing arts event with refugee groups performing to music and dance.
The Afghan Community Group were back performing the Attan, a traditional Afghan dance originating from the Afghan Pashtoon tribes in and around the southern borders of Afghanistan.
In addition, the Iranian painter and graphic designer, Farhad Samey, displayed his impressive art work at the event. Visit Farhad's blog to view his work.
See the New Art Gallery website to find our more about future events at www.artatwalsall.org.uk.
Refugee Week in Wolverhampton
On the 20 June, Wolverhampton City Council Asylum Team held a stall and took part in childrens performances and activities at a community event, "Woden United", at Woden Primary School.
Wolverhampton Art Gallery also hosted activities for children during Refugee Week that explored the concept of home as a special place.
Organisers hope to expand events across Wolverhampton for Refugee Week next year.
Positive Press Project Film release
June 10th - 25th, repeatedly showing across the Birmingham and Coventry Refugee Week events.
Positive Press, a year long project set up by Save the Children, aimed to give young people a voice on issues that affect them through the use of media.
Young people from Birmingham and Coventry have produced a groundbreaking film that tells the story of Ali, a young unaccompanied refugee from Afghanistan, po
rtraying images of life in both Afghanistan and the UK.
These young writers, directors and actors invite you to witness their reflected experiences through a powerfully moving and challenging film that maps the lives of young refugees and asylum seekers in the region.
For more information on the Positive Press Project, contact Lukano Omunson at L.Omunson@savethechildren.org.uk
The full 2008 Regional programme can be accessed here.
For more information about Refugee Week in the West Midlands, please contact Clare Daley at c.daley@wmlga.gov.uk or on 0121 678 1078
