What’s On: Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 June
It’s the last weekend of Refugee Festival Scotland and more than 65 events are taking place across the country. Enjoy everything from film, food, music and dance, to football tournaments and fashion shows. Here are 12 things you won’t want to miss.
1. Arabic Calligraphy: The Art of Handwriting
When: 22 June, 10am-1.30pm
Where: Spectrum Centre, Inverness
This interactive workshop, led by and expert from the local community, is the perfect introduction to Arabic calligraphy. All ages welcome.
2. Dumfries International Street Food Festival
When: 22 June, 10am – 4pm
Where: Dock Park, Dumfries
Head on over to Dock Park for a food-focussed celebration of cultures and cuisines from around the world. Browse stalls selling delicious street food and sample flavours from Syria, Yemen, Ukraine and more!
3. The Welcoming – Refugee Festival Event
When: 22 June, 11am – 3pm
Where: Georgie War Memorial Hall, Edinburgh
A family-friendly event featuring music, multicultural food, art and craft activities, and an exhibition of artwork created by New Scots in Edinburgh inspired by this year’s festival theme, ‘rise’.
4. Picnic and Play
When: 22 June, 12-3pm
Where: The Hidden Gardens, Glasgow
Join Licketyspitt and Kin Kitchen for a child-friendly afternoon of nature exploration, creative workshops, and food. Create your own migrating butterflies, take part in storyplay sessions and make a character for the Whacky Potato Parade.
5. Fashion Parade in Diversity
When: 22 June, 12-3pm
Where: Queen’s Park Govanhill Church of Scotland, Glasgow
Featuring garments from 15 countries around the world, this fashion show with-a-difference will incorporate dance, fantastic outfits, and the history behind each item of traditional dress.
6. Family Food and Fun Day
When: 22 June, 12-3pm
Where: Camperdown Country Park, Dundee
Celebrate diversity in Dundee with traditional Ukrainian music, delicious food from Iraq and football for children and young people led by a former professional player from Syria. Family-friendly activities include arts and crafts, face painting, and circus skills.
7. Raising Voices
When: 22 June, 3-4.30pm
Where: Glasgow Concert Hall – New Auditorium, Glasgow
The Royal Scottish National Orchestra brings together three culturally diverse choirs featuring singers from refugee and migrant backgrounds for a very special concert celebrating the power of a good song.
8. Connected Communities
When: 23 June, 12-3pm
Where: Holyrood Campus, Edinburgh
Celebrate the welcoming spirit of Edinburgh with live music and delicious food from various cultures. Join the community for a day of fun and connection.
9. Refugee World Cup
When: 23 June, 12-5pm
Where: Toryglen Regional Football Centre, Glasgow
‘Scotland’s most diverse football event’ brings together hundreds of players from scores of nations, including refugees, people seeking asylum, migrants and people born and raised in Scotland.
10. Ukrainian Heritage Festival – Фестиваль Української Культури
When: 23 June, 12-6pm
Where: AUGB Glasgow Ukrainian Club, Glasgow
Celebrate Ukrainian culture with music, performances, art exhibits, workshops, and food tastings. Dive into Ukrainian folklore and connect with the community.
11. Cooking with the Community
When: 23 June, 2-4pm
Where: Giffnock (venue details upon registration)
Learn to cook delicious vegetarian dishes with Fabienne Viner Luzzato, exploring Tunisian and Middle Eastern cuisine.
12. Together We Rise – Refugee Festival Scotland closing event
When: 23 June, 2.30-6pm
Where: The Barn, Banchory
A fun-filled closing event to round off Refugee Festival Scotland in style. Outdoor crafts, games, and delicious Syrian cuisine will be enjoyed in the Barn’s beautiful outdoor spaces. We’re also excited to be unveiling artist Sadia Sikander’s new mural Together We Rise. This artwork was created in collaboration with members of GREC language café in Aberdeen and painted with the help of New Scots in Glasgow.
