Refugee Week 2023 – 19th-25th June
We can’t wait to celebrate Refugee Week 2023 with a programme of events to inspire, educate and raise awareness of the situation refugees face.
Click here to explore our Refugee Week events
Compassion
The theme of the 25th Refugee Week is compassion in action. Together we can create a shared understanding of compassion to ensure we are extending it widely to all.
“Our task must be to free ourselves – by widening our circles of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty”– Albert Einstein
Refugee Week Events Programme
We are proud to present a programme of events celebrating refugee strength and creativity, in partnership with lots of brilliant organisations around Berkshire and beyond!
Explore our programme of Refugee Week events below:
19th-25th June – Damascus in the Eyes of an Artist – Rising Sun Arts Centre
Rising Sun Arts Centre are hosting an exhibition of paintings by Damascus based Artist Malik Alazamia depicting his home city Damascus.
Presented alongside works by Ahmad Alazami, who came to Britain as a refugee this is an exhibition of work by two brothers which features different representations of Damascus and the experience of war.
Opening times: Mon 19th – Thu 22nd June: 3pm – 7pm
Fri 23rd June: Closed
Sat 24th – Sun 25th June: 12:30pm – 3pm
* FREE ENTRY *
Tuesday 20th June – Art Exhibition – Reading School
Reading School are a School Of Sanctuary and are hosting a special art exhibition to mark Refugee Week 2023.
The exhibition is open to students and staff during the week, and there is a public viewing!
Refugee Week Art Exhibition | 6pm – 7:30pm | Tuesday 20th June | Reading School, Erleigh Rd, Reading RG1 5LW
Visitors are encouraged to park nearby and walk or use public transport. There will be signs from the driveway to the exhibition.
* FREE ENTRY *
Wednesday 21st June – The Beginning – The M.E.R.L.
Rank & File and Refugee Support Group present a specially-written performance of ‘The Beginning’ at The MERL as part of Refugee Week and Reading Climate Festival .
‘The Beginning’ follows on from the sell out success of ‘Where Do We Go From Here?’ and is again written by refugees, asylum seekers, and people with disablement and mental health challenges. The piece deals with the themes of climate justice and displacement.
* FREE ENTRY *
Click here to book your free tickets
Wednesday 21st June – Ribbons For Refugees – Reading Minster
Reading Minster Church are encouraging people to tie a ribbon and light a candle in solidarity with refugees around the world.
Open from 10am
* FREE ENTRY *
Thursday 22nd June – Flee + Q&A Panel – Reading Biscuit Factory
We’re excited to present our eighth annual Refugee Week film event in partnership with Reading Biscuit Factory.
We are thrilled to present the award-winning animated film, ‘Flee’, followed by a special Q&A discussion.
Our panel of special guests will discuss the topics raised in the film and wider issues affecting refugees in Berkshire and beyond. We’ll be announcing our panellists soon, so please watch this space.
Book your tickets, join the conversation and help refugees rebuild their lives in Berkshire.
Flee + Q&A Panel (Ages 15+)
Thu 22nd June | 7pm-10pm | Reading Biscuit Factory RG1 7QE
Click here to book your tickets now
23rd June – 2nd July – Colour Visions – Turbine House Gallery
Turning Colour Inside Out
We’re excited to present an exhibition of artwork created by refugees at our Friday Drop Ins at The Atrium, led by local artist Lisa-Marie Gibbs.
Address: Turbine House Gallery, Riverside Museum, Kenavon Drive Reading RG1 3DH (Entrance in Gasworks Road)
Opening Hours: 10:30am – 6pm
* FREE ENTRY *
Find out more here
Saturday 24th June – Reading Community Cup – John Madejski Academy
The Reading Community Cup returns for it’s third year!
Bringing together Berkshire’s only refugee football team, Sanctuary Strikers FC, with several guest teams, the football tournament aims to promote unity and integration through the international language of football.
Venue: John Madjeski Academy, 125 Hartland Rd, Reading RG2 8AF
Time: 12pm – 4pm
Teams: Sanctuary Strikers FC, Giveback FC, Bethel, Care4Calais Reading FC
* FREE ENTRY *
Find out more about Sanctuary Strikers
Wed 5th July – Charity Quiz Night – Reading Biscuit Factory
After the sell out success of our first ever Quiz, join us for our second Charity Quiz Night for Refugee Week 2023!
Come and test your knowledge, win prizes, and help refugees in Berkshire.
Refugee Support Group’s Charity Quiz Night
Wed 5th July | 7pm – 9:30pm | Reading Biscuit Factory, RG1 7QE
Click here to book your tickets
Refugees are under attack right now.
Can you help us fight for them?
The Government are stirring up anger and obsessing about small boats, while refugees are scared and suffering.
We need your help to fight for refugees and give them the support they desperately need.
Please donate £5 a month – the cost of two coffees – to give refugees in Berkshire the help they urgently need
Click here to find out more and donate
Want to organise an event for Refugee Week?
If you want to organise your own Refugee Week event, or if you want to be a part of one of our events, talks or challenges, please contact Jonjo Warrick to discuss getting involved.
