A PACKED programme of events, both online and in-person, has been put together by Bradford organisations to mark Refugee Week. 

Starting today, and running until June 20, Refugee Week is an opportunity to celebrate the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary. 

The theme of the week is ‘We Cannot Walk Alone’ and will be marked through exhibitions, films, performances, virtual reality experiences and walks. 

There will be an exhibition of Palestinian-inspired embroidery by textile artist Deborah Mullins, who passed away in December last year, at Trapezium Arts on Kirkgate.

Solidarity stitching packs will also be available as a fundraising effort for the Amos Trust, in Deborah’s memory. 

At 7.15pm this Thursday, there will be an online public meeting organised by Bradford and Shipley Trades Union Council with Jan Selby, Professor of Politics and International Relations at Sheffield University on ‘Refugees in a world of accelerating climate crisis’. 

A Windows on the World exhibition will encourage a stroll around Bradford city centre throughout the week and will showcase artwork on display in windows from top of the town at Bread and Roses, down to the Central Library in Centenary Square. 

The week will also include storytelling with Bradford libraries and online singing with the Bradford Friendship Choir.

Deborah Collett, of Artworks Creative Communities and Refugee Week organiser, said: “We are really pleased with the variety of events in the programme for Refugee Week.

"After the past year, the theme of ‘We Cannot Walk Alone’ couldn’t be more appropriate. Covid has been a time of fear and loneliness for so many, not least those seeking refuge and sanctuary in our city.

"Organisations and volunteer networks have worked throughout the pandemic to provide practical and emotional support, and Refugee Week is a great opportunity to reflect on and celebrate that work.

"The events have been planned with safety in mind, with a great mix of online and in-person events. We hope this programme gives a flavour of the enormous contributions refugees and people seeking sanctuary have made to our city over the years.”

The poster for Refugee Week is based on artwork by Zahara, a pupil at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Little Horton.

It is one of the three schools which will receive a ‘Schools of Sanctuary’ award during Refugee Week, in recognition of their work to be places of sanctuary for children and their families.

Refugee Week is supported by Bradford Council, through the Bradford For Everyone programme.

 The full programme of events and more information can be found at bradfordforeveryone.co.uk/event/bradford-refugee-week, as well as on the Facebook page ‘Bradford Refugee Week’.