Hello Derby - A Festival of Welcome celebrates refugee community
It's one of a number of events held to mark Refugee Week.
A festival is being held in Derby today to mark the culmination of celebrations for Refugee Week.
This year is the 25th anniversary, celebrating the courage and creativity of people who are seeking safety.
Refugee Week in Derby aims to bring communities in together, encourage understanding of why people are displaced and the challenges they face, and to celebrate their contribution to our city.
The flagship event is at the Museum of Making today (24 June) from 11am to 3pm. Derby City of Sanctuary is hosting Hello Derby – A Festival of Welcome, an open invitation to meet people seeking sanctuary and the organisations who support them.
There will be live music, activities and exhibitions suitable for all ages and it’s free to attend.
Also today, Derbyshire Refugee Solidarity is teaming up with Parkrun for a friendly 5km run or walk around Markeaton Park, starting from The Orangery café.
Sanctuary Sunday will be marked tomorrow (25 June), at the Cathedral Eucharist, with special prayers and an address by the Reverend Chris Rose, Director of Amos Trust UK.
Councillor Paul Hezelgrave, Derby City Council’s Cabinet Member for Cost of Living, Equalities and Customer Inclusion, said:
"Derby has a proud history of welcoming people to our city who have been forced to leave everything behind. They’ve made often perilous journeys to a place where they can live safely and take full part in the economic and cultural life of their new community.
"Refugee Week is a chance to look beyond the headlines and to the people who are bringing their skills and cultural richness to our city. It will give me great pleasure to take part in some of the activities during the week."