A collective umbrella of various organisations and individuals, Nottingham Beyond Borders supports Nottingham’s Asylum Seekers, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Refugee Forum, and New Communities, aiming to raise the awareness of issues faced by those born into tragic circumstances through events such as this one.
Aside from the occasional bus fare bumps and posh nobs lapping up the cream from the top of our economic milk bottle, we’ve got it pretty sweet in the UK. Unfortunately, that can’t be said for chunks of the world, where war, famine and persecution is an everyday fact of life, forcing people to turn elsewhere for sanctuary.
Sporting the theme of ‘Our Shared Future,’ there’s a huge variety of exciting, free stuff to get involved in. This year focuses on the children and young people who have been displaced early on in life. From art exhibitions and live music events, to film screenings and literature readings, there are many ways to be entertained and informed.
SATURDAY 14 JUNE
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Launch Event
Things kick off in style, with information stalls and food to fill up on. There will be creative activities for all ages, inspired by young refugees, and live music from Blessing Magore, the Zimbabwean-born singer-songwriter who fills Nottingham tabs with the finest afro-funk and reggae sounds.
Nottingham Contemporary, 2pm – 5pm
Refugees Got Talent
Following on from the launch event, a night of delicious food, music and entertainment is on the cards. As you can probably guess from the title of the vent, the evening will take the form of that telleh show, with plenty of prizes to give away, and the opportunity to have a boogie with the talented contestants.
The Square Centre, Alfred Street North, 7 – 11pm
Words Apart: Can We Build Bridges Across Language?
A networking event with a difference. Refugee leaders will be around to meet and discuss some of the important issues affecting the refugee community, with a focus on the impact of differing languages. Lots of activities and friendly faces for all.
All Souls Community Centre, Ilkeston Road, booking required: 07905 298 137
MONDAY 16 JUNE
Hotel Sahara
The first of many films to be screened over the week, the Bettina Haasen piece explores the abysmal life at the invisible border dividing the West-African coast and Europe. The people going to the place of disappointment and dreams are followed in the story of their eye-opening and emotive journey.
Five Leaves Bookshop, 7pm
When The War Was Over: European Refugees After 1945
Running until Monday 23 June, this pop-up exhibition focuses on the displaced and resettled people of Eastern Europe after WWII. Using archival material from UK, Russia, USA and Ukraine, University of Nottingham and University of Manchester have compiled a project taking place all over the building.
New Art Exchange, various times
TUESDAY 17 JUNE
The Visitor
Directed by Thomas McCarthy, it follows the story of a widowed professor attending a globalization conference in New York. After finding a musician from Syria and a street vendor from Zainab squatting in his apartment, he sympathises with their situation and suggests that they stay.
Nottingham Central Library, 6.45pm
THURSDAY 19 JUNE
Vocal: Refugee Film Screenings
Local filmmakers have clubbed together to offer up snippets of a range of films they’ve produced, all relating to the theme of the week. Sure to get your brain ticking, there will be chance to let opinions loose in the following activity.
New Art Exchange, 7pm
Vocal: Refugee Week Special
This session is a discussion highlighting the strenuous lengths asylum seekers go to in search of a brighter future. With panellists including artist and Director of Al Madad Foundation Aya Haidar, Emeritus Professor of Cultural Studies Roger Bromley, and Sam Javid, the Director of Journeys Festival in Leicester, it’ll be a lively and informative debate.
New Art Exchange, 7 – 8.30pm
FRIDAY 20 JUNE
RefuTea
The Women’s Culture Exchange will be on hand for a chat to discover a new understanding of why people seek refuge in the UK. Grab a cuppa and a slice of cake for a good cause – all proceeds will go to the women who’re doing amazing things in the community.
The Atrium, 11am – 2.30pm
World Music Night
Exactly what it says on the tin. The likes of Ethiopian artist Haiki, an Eastern-European band MuHa, and an African storytelling band called Ngoma, are providing some lively sounds in aid of NNRF’s anti-destitution fund and HOST Nottingham. Dab in and show off your best moves.
Nottingham Contemporary, 8 – 11pm, donations welcome
Leave to Remain
Introduced by Nottingham University’s Roger Bromley, a guy well versed in studies on asylum, apartheid, cinema and culture, this Bruce Goodison directed film focuses on those too young to make decisions about leaving their place of birth, the subsequent interrogations they face, and fitting into an alien society.
Broadway Cinema, 6pm
SATURDAY 21 JUNE
Read Hear!
It’s not very often the library gets loud, but rules are there to be broken. A new project from I’m Not from London and Dime Store Pulp, Read Hear will have live readings and music performances that celebrate Refugee Week in a fun, creative environment for bookworms and music lovers alike.
Nottingham Central Library, 12.30 – 3.30pm
Refugee Week website
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