Southwark is hosting an event on Saturday (June 18) to celebrate the contribution that refugees make to life in the borough.
The event, which is taking place from 11am to 4pm at St Giles’ Church in Camberwell, will have:
· Music and dancing
· Face painting and henna
· Traditional food
· Children’s activities
· Cultural shows
· Advice and information
Cllr Alice Macdonald, Southwark Council’s cabinet Member for equalities, neighbourhoods and leisure, said: “This event is an opportunity to celebrate the many ways refugees contribute to life in Southwark and the warm welcome that our community has always offered to people seeking sanctuary.
“Now, more than ever, as we welcome refugees from Ukraine and continue to provide sanctuary to those who fled Afghanistan last year, it’s important for us to celebrate diversity and show support for people who have made the borough their home.
“Everyone is welcome to join us this Saturday and enjoy the variety of culture and customs that make Southwark such a special place to live.”
The event is being organised by Southwark Council, Southwark Refugee Communities Forum, Southwark Law Centre, Panjshir Aid and Southwark Asylum Seekers.
It comes ahead of Refugee Week, from Monday, June 20-Sunday, June 26. The council is holding other events in its libraries that week, including:
· Family craft with recycled materials around the theme of ‘home’ at Dulwich Library, June 23 from 4-5pm
· Storytelling from around the world with Stef Townsend at Nunhead Library, June 23 from 4-5pm.
· Local poet Arji Manuelpillai is running a poetry workshop for all levels of English at Walworth Library, June 25 from 2-3.30pm
Books in different languages are also being added to Southwark’s libraries, including dual language in Ukrainian.
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