BwD Refugee Week Events 15 -21st June

10th June 2015

BLACKBURN & DARWEN HIGHLIGHTS THE POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION OF REFUGEES THROUGHOUT REFUGEE WEEK (15-21 JUNE)

Monday 15 June to Sunday 21 June will see a range of free and affordable

events for the people of Blackburn with Darwen in celebration of Refugee

Week 2015.

Over 30 local organisations are supporting the annual week-long programme

which includes speakers with powerful stories, live drama, art, food, short

film, tea and very strong coffee!

This year, Refugee Week is focussing on the contribution refugees make to

society. Monday 15 June kicks off with ‘Beans ’n’ Leaves’ - a free

opportunity to sample tea, coffee and sweet and savoury snacks from around

the world and made by local volunteers. The impressive selection includes

Kurdish and Somalian tea, plus the chance to experience the popular Eritrean

coffee ceremony, with roasted coffee beans and fresh popcorn! We are

thrilled that the Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen will be attending.

Time: 9.30-11.30am. Place: Liz ‘n’ Lil’s on Northgate, Blackburn. Free.

On Monday evening, a new event for 2015, ‘A Rare Bear and Other Tales’

features performances created and hosted by young people from different

cultural backgrounds. Time: 6.00pm-8.00pm. Place: Darwen Library

Theatre, Knott Street, Darwen BB3 3BU. Tickets: £2 (£1)

On Tuesday 16 June: A ‘Refugee Week Celebration’ will give a warm

welcome and useful information. Time: 11.00am-2.30pm. Place:

Blackburn is Open, 65, King William Street, Blackburn. Free.

Wednesday 17 June sees three events: a world food event on at Central

United Reformed Church Hall, Duckworth Street, Darwen from

11.00am-1.00pm; (£5 entry.) The afternoon launches a month-long children’s

art exhibition at Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery. Time: 3.30pm-5pm.

Free. Wednesday evening finishes with ‘Shared Futures’ - an opportunity to

hear from Maurice Wren, the Chief Executive of The Refugee Council, plus

see original drama and hear poetry and positive stories of those seeking

sanctuary. Time: 6.00pm-8.30pm. Place: Hornby Theatre, Blackburn

Central Library, Town Hall Street, Blackburn BB2 1AG. Free.

Thursday 18th June involves people in creating and decorating squares for

a Peace Quilt which will be displayed in the cafe when completed. Time:

9am-4pm. Place: bb1 for Life, 72, Northgate, Blackburn. Free.

Friday 19th June brings another new event: a Laughter Session. Time:

2.00-3.00pm. Place: Wesley Hall Methodist Church, Feilden Street, BB2

1LQ. Free.

On Saturday 20th June, there will be a tour of Blackburn’s cultural and

colourful history. Time: 10.30am. Meeting place: Your Support Your

Choice, Town Hall Street, Blackburn, BB2 1AG. The children’s art

exhibition will also be ongoing and will have free activities and information.

Time: 12.00pm-4.00pm. Place: Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery,

Museum Street, Blackburn, BB1 7AJ.

Further events will be happening across the UK, including in Manchester and

Liverpool.

Refugee Week is a UK-wide programme of arts, cultural and educational

events and activities that celebrates the contribution of refugees to the UK

and promotes better understanding of why people seek sanctuary.

:

Kerry Tuhill, Refugee Week North West Coordinator at Action Factory on

01254 296075 or mobile 07552 639633.

For further information on Refugee Week, please contact Kerry Tuhill as

above or for information on national events, contact:

Emily Churchill Zaraa, Refugee Week UK Coordinator on 020 7012 1761 or

email emily@counterpointarts.org.uk