Refugee Week is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year and Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council are hosting a range of fun events.

Refugee Week takes place between Monday, June 19 and Sunday, June 25 and organisations across the borough are running exciting events to showcase different communities.

This year’s theme is compassion, and residents across the country are invited to celebrate “what compassion looks like in action” after the challenging last few years.

What’s on across Blackburn with Darwen for Refugee Week 2023?

 

Saturday, June 17

1.30pm - 4.30pm: ‘Homes 4 Ukraine Celebration’ at The Bureau Centre for the Arts in Penny Street, Blackburn

Monday, June 19

9.30am - 1pm: Compassion Conference at Blackburn Cathedral, Cathedral Close, Blackburn

Wednesday, June 21

10.30am - 11am: Read, Rhythm and Rhyme Storytime ;Lily and the Polar Bears by Jion Sheibani at Blackburn Central Library, Town Hall Street, Blackburn

11am - 1pm: International Food Festival, Wesley Hall, Feilden Street, Blackburn

12pm – 4.45pm: Refugee Short Films, Blackburn Museum, Museum Street, Blackburn

Thursday, June 22

10am – 1pm: Community Harmony Project Coffee Morning, Quakers Meeting House, Paradise Street, Blackburn

12pm – 4.45pm: Refugee Short Films, Blackburn Museum, Museum Street, Blackburn

Friday, June 23

12pm – 4.45pm: Refugee Short Films, Blackburn Museum, Museum Street, Blackburn

1pm – 3pm: Kairos – ‘Compassion in Action’ film screening: Kairos Hub, 46 King Street, Blackburn

Saturday, June 24

10am – 4pm: Community Harmony Project – Picnic, Lake District

11am – 11.30am: Storytime and crafting, Darwen Library, Knott Street, Darwen

12pm – 4pm: Compassion Crafting, Blackburn Museum, Museum Street, Blackburn

12pm – 4.45pm: Refugee Short Films, Blackburn Museum, Museum Street, Blackburn

Sunday, June 25

12pm – 4pm: Connect Hub – Family Day, Blackburn Central High School, Haslingden Road, Blackburn

A spokesperson for Refugee Week said: “The last few years have been challenging for all of us. We are still adjusting to new realities post-lockdown as well as responding to new crises.

“In the UK, dangerous anti-migration government rhetoric continues, along with inhumane conditions for asylum seekers.

“But, none of these things happen in isolation. We know how interconnected our world is: how something seemingly “far away” impacts everyone. All of this makes us even more aware of the need to widen our circles of compassion.

“Within our own experiences are all the tools we need to be compassionate, not just to ourselves and those in our immediate circle but to all our human neighbours and our one shared home, planet earth.

“We invite you to take part in Refugee Week 2023 and show us how arts and culture can help widen our circles of compassion. We cannot wait to see all of your creative responses!”