Chester Refugee Week, in partnership with Chester Cathedral
Storyhouse and Chester Cathedral are working in partnership on a series of events marking the national Refugee Week between Sunday 17 and Sunday 24 June. A special one-off performance, international food, art exhibition, music and storytelling sessions will take place in Chester throughout the week, to explore the stories of refugees.
Refugee Week takes place every year across the world in the week around World Refugee Day on 20 June. In the UK, Refugee Week is a nationwide programme of arts, cultural and educational events that celebrate the contribution of refugees to the UK, and encourages a better understanding between communities.
Events
Human Flow Film Screening
A screening of Ai Weiwei’s vital and extraordinary documentary is preceded by an introduction from Chester and Wrexham Amnesty. The film, shot across 23 countries, provides insight into the plight of 65 million people. Using extensive drone photography, the film cuts through the saturation of news reports to give a sense of the scale and human cost of uprooting people.
Storyhouse cinema, Monday 16 June, 6pm.
Book here
Objects Left and Objects Taken
An exhibition of art at Chester Cathedral created by recently arrived (mostly Syrian) refugees who have settled in Chester and Ellesmere Port. The artwork explores the theme of ‘Objects Left and Objects Taken’. The process was led by artist and art psychotherapist Rachel Roberts.
Chester Cathedral, 19-25 June
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Music and Meditations on Refuge
This is a reflective hour of music and meditations on the theme of refuge, with members of Chester Cathedral Choir, Middle Eastern percussionist Arian Sadr and Mina Salama, an Egyptian player of the Oud and other Middle Eastern instruments.
Chester Cathedral, Wednesday 20 June, 5.30pm-6.30pm
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Take Refuge Under My Shade
A dance theatre performance which follows the interweaving stories (in English and Arabic) of three pregnant women: a Syrian woman journeying to the UK, a British woman describing her struggle with poverty, and the story of Mary visiting Elizabeth to share her good news.
Garret Theatre, Storyhouse, Thursday 21 June, 1pm and 7.30pm.
The 1pm performance will include a performance of We Are All Human – a curtain raiser performed by children from local primary schools.
Book now
Refugee Week leaflet-Arabic Translation
