Monday 15 June marks the start of this year’s Refugee Week, a worldwide celebration of the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary, centred around World Refugee Day on 20 June.
An exciting week of events is planned by our libraries and partners across the city to celebrate and explore this year’s theme of ‘Courage’.
For refugees around the world, courage is a daily necessity to face unknown journeys, learn new languages and navigate unfamiliar systems.
At a time when the world feels divided and uncertain, Refugee Week gives us an opportunity to come together and share the courage to create a culture of welcome, to stand for what we believe in, and to celebrate the city’s communities.
This year’s celebrations are made even more special, as we’ll be marking it for the first time as an accredited Council of Sanctuary.
Nemat is a refugee from Afghanistan, who found his home in Brighton & Hove. He shared: "In this city I’ve felt doors open to me, from neighbours who welcomed me to the opportunity to work with the council, which has changed my life as a refugee.
“Brighton has shown me that a new place can become a home when people choose to see you, support you, and believe in what you can offer. I am simply grateful to be part of this community."
Councillor Mitchie Alexander, Cabinet member for Communities, Equalities, Public Health and Adult Social Care, said: “276 thousand lives, with different cultures, hobbies, careers, family situations, with different burdens and joys, all connected in one belief – that everyone should be equal, feel included and free to live the life they desire, in safety and with dignity. This is Brighton & Hove.
“Some of us were lucky enough to be born here, some of us had to face strenuous journeys to get here, and these are the residents we’re celebrating during Refugee Week, a worldwide festival honouring the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary.
“This year the spotlight is on courage. The courage shown when you uproot your life and face uncertainty with the aim of a better and safer future for you and your family. It’s also about having the courage to step up for what is right and fair, the courage to educate yourself, the courage to broaden your horizons. The courage to recognise and welcome inclusion.
“There is plentiful courage going around in Brighton & Hove, and we’re extremely proud to be celebrating Refugee Week for the first time as a Council of Sanctuary.
“Over the last 10 years, we were able to offer a safe home to people fleeing Syria, fleeing the long Russian invasion in Ukraine, fleeing rapidly worsening human rights in Afghanistan. We have also welcomed people from Hong Kong who are increasingly at risk from the Chinese authorities.
“Join us in celebrating the amazing achievements of newcomers in our city, and the fantastic work local organisations do to provide them a welcoming home, establish connections and build bridges.
“A week of exciting events has been planned across the city, don’t hesitate to get involved!”
Brighton & Hove City Council has recently been awarded ‘Council of Sanctuary’ status, recognising the organisation’s work in welcoming and supporting residents who are seeking sanctuary.
To achieve the accreditation, we submitted a 3-year action plan, committing to continue creating a culture of welcome and provide grant funding for the rich tapestry of local charities and groups who tirelessly support newcomers in our city.
This award builds on and expands the amazing work our libraries have been doing with Jubilee Library becoming the second library in the country to be awarded Library of Sanctuary status in 2019 and the whole of the service accredited as a Library Service of Sanctuary in 2024.
Best Foot Music and Brighton & Hove City Council celebrate Refugee Week
Saturday 20 June, 12 noon to 4pm, Jubilee Library ground floor
Join us as we celebrate our Council of Sanctuary award with speeches and fantastic music programme by Best Foot Music.
You can look forward to live music from Afghanistan, Kurdistan, Senegal, the Levant and Ukraine with Milad Yousofi, Suna Alan, Khadim Sarr and Svitlo Amal. Find out about refugee & asylum seeker organisations in the city who will be hosting stalls throughout the event.
More information about the event and featured artists can be found on the Best Foot Music website.
Refugee Week launch event: Unitarian Church in partnership with Voices in Exile
11am to 2pm, Unitarian Church, New Road, Brighton
Sunday service at 11am will focus on Refugees and Asylum seekers in our city and will highlight peoples lived experience. After the service from 12.30pm we are inviting our neighbourhood to come together to share music, conversation and food, to celebrate and affirm Brighton & Hove as City of Sanctuary. Enjoy speakers, musicians and poets all sharing what courage means to them. All welcome, food is pay-as-you-feel.
Refugee Week launch evening in collaboration with EuroMernet, Community Base and No Hate Speech UK
7pm to 9.30pm, Community Base, 113 Queens Road, Brighton, BN1 3XG
Join us to hear a panel of speakers who will recite selections from books written by former refugees, plus music, dance, and a huge buffet of home-made food. Drop in for free.
We Are the Tree Advice Hub for Refugees & Asylum Seekers
10am to 3pm, Jubilee Library ground floor
This drop in advice and signposting hub runs every Monday. Advice available on benefits, education, housing, NHS and digital communication. Help with form filling.
Nam Yang Brighton Martial Arts fitness
9.30am to 12 noon, Hove Methodist Church, entrance on St Patrick’s Road, buzz Nam Yang on the intercom
A fun morning of energising martial arts fitness followed by a free lunch with community of members. Everyone welcome. No experience needed.
Good quality work out gear is also available from the donation box.
Refugees and asylum seekers always train for free at Nam Yang, if you'd like to come along to any of our classes. Drop in for free.
For more information please email: info@namyangbrighton.co.uk
Free drop in with The Network of International Women
10am to 12 noon, Jubilee Library community space
The Network of International Women meet in Jubilee Library every Wednesday morning and welcome all newcomers. The group is a platform for women from diverse cultures and backgrounds to meet, share experiences and knowledge, support one another and make friends. Over the last year they have completed 10 stunning hand-crafted banners for each of the Brighton & Hove Libraries of Sanctuary.
Story Tree: Free drop in for refugees and asylum seekers
10am to 12 noon, Jubilee Library community space
Are you an adult refugee or asylum seeker? Do you love stories? Do you want to improve your reading and listening in English and learn new words? Come over to Jubilee Library for this weekly session. No need to book, free drop-in. Tea, coffee and biscuits included.
Voices in Exile advice session
1pm to 3pm, Jubilee Library foyer exhibition space
Free advice for refugees, asylums seekers and migrants on housing, benefits, health care, access to ESOL and more. For immigration advice, please email advice@voicesinexile.org
Refugee Courage − from destitution to strive: Film screening and panel discussion
5.15pm to 6.45pm, Jubilee Library conference room 2
A screening of locally made film by We Are The Tree. After the film screening there will be a panel discussion followedby a ‘unity in kindness and contribution’ award celebrating refugees and local allies who nurture unity, kindness and shared growth in our community.
To book your free place email info@wearethetree.org or message 0797603999.
Refugee Week Dance Day
10.15am to 2.30pm, The Dome (Anita’s Room)
Celebrate Refugee Week with a fun day of dance. No experience needed, just bring your energy! Latin grooves workshop, picnic lunch in the Pavillion, followed by a creative dance workshop. 12 places available, priority given to refugees, asylum seekers and migrants. Transport costs covered and food included. Book your free place on 07454335831.
Migrant Art of Coping with author Sohail Jannesari
5.30pm to 7.30pm, Lark & Bloom Library, One Church, Florence Road, Brighton
Join us for a short talk, panel discussion and wellbeing practices all drawing from the lived experiences of those seeking sanctuary about survival, care and mental health being under hostile conditions.
Refugee Week Community Celebration
4pm to 6pm, Circus Street BN2 9AS – outside South East Dance Studios
Communitas Dance, in partnership with Circus Street and Kernel Cafe, invites you to a free community event featuring: dance workshops, music, crafts & games. Free refreshments. Everyone is welcome- come along and join the fun!
Sanctuary Runners Brighton Refugee Week celebration
8.30am to 1pm, Hove Lawns, look out for Sanctuary Runners blue shirts
Join Sanctuary Runners for the 5K Hove Promenade parkrun/walk. Afterwards you can look forward to a picnic and fun activities, football, yoga, brazilian dancing, crafts and more!
Best Foot Music and Brighton & Hove City Council celebrate Refugee Week
12 noon to 4pm, Jubilee Library ground floor
Live music from Afghanistan, Kurdistan, Senegal, the Levant and Ukraine with Milad Yousofi, Suna Alan, Khadim Sarr and Svitlo Amal. Find out about refugee & asylum seeker organisations in the city who will be hosting stalls throughout the event.
More information about the event and artists can be found on the Best Foot Music website.
EuroMernet Social Gathering: A farewell to Refugee Week + Film Club screening in collaboration with the Community Base and No Hate Speech UK
6.30pm to 9.30pm, Community Base, 113 Queens Road, Brighton, BN1 3XG
Join EuroMernet for a poetry reading, and a feature length screening of a film, both on the theme of “courage”, as well as talks, music, and homemade food. Drop in for free.
Online ESOL Ideas Swap
1.30pm to 3pm, online
Swap ideas, tips and resources for supporting English language learning. Volunteers are welcome. To book your place, email linguatrust@outlook.com
Refugee Week with EuroMernet
Before, during and after Refugee Week, EuroMernet Film Club will screen over a dozen films from around the world on the theme of Courage. EuroMernet Poetry Club and Radio EuroMernet will also host two sessions. For more information, email info@euromernet.org or follow the regular posts on their social media pages: @euromernet Facebook
Sama Brighton Film Festival
Monday 15 to Friday 19 June
An offshoot of the long running Sama International festival, it provides a platform for cinema made under conditions of political violence, censorship and exile. There will be 5 nights of screenings by filmmakers from Afghanistan, Iran and Kazakhstan. Venues include The Depot, Pink Moon, The Rose Hill, Dukes at Komedia and Fabrica.
For more info see Sama Brighton’s Instagram account.
Exhibition/Courage with Voices in Exile
Monday 15 to Sunday 20 June, Jubilee Library foyer exhibition space
Voices in Exile will be taking over the foyer gallery at Jubilee Library. They will be displaying art works created by the community, about what courage means to them. There will be a stall with information, zines, and members of the Voices in Exile team to chat to.
Exhibition/Words of Courage curated by Umit Ozturk at EuroMernet in partnership with Brighton & Hove Librariesand No Hate Speech UK
Monday 15 to Monday 27 June, Jubilee Library window exhibition space
The exhibition features portraits and inspirational words of artists, writers, poets, thinkers and activists who have become refugees. Their quoted words show the power of believing in courage against dejection and hope against despair even under most difficult phases of life.
Exhibition/Courage in the Face of adversity: Stories of hope and resilience, curated by We Are The Tree
Monday 15 to Monday 21 June, Jubilee Library community space
For us as refugees, the courage to leave home is not a single moment; it’s layered: fear, loss, hope, responsibility, and often no real choice. Choosing uncertainty over danger, carrying grief while moving forward. Letting go without closure, starting again without guarantees, and, in a hostile environment. Discover the journeys of displayed people within our community in this exhibition.
For more information about what is happening locally during Refugee Week, visit the Sanctuary on Sea website.
As well as hosting multiple events celebrating Refugee Week, our libraries also encourage all to discover more refugee stories through curated stock collections in libraries across the city, in the online library catalogue and Borrowbox.
Storytimes during Refugee Week with be exploring stories about courage and kindness. To find story times in a library near you visit events in libraries.
Refugee Week is an opportunity to join people from all over the world in showing solidarity by taking part in Simple Acts - everyday actions we can all do, to stand with Refugees and Asylum Seekers and make new connections in our communities.
Every action makes a difference, and when we come together, we are powerful.
Our libraries have been awarded the ‘Library Service of Sanctuary’ status in recognition of their efforts in welcoming and supporting newcomers in the city.
Carers Week is an annual campaign celebrating the work of unpaid carers and recognising the vital contribution they make to their families and communities.