The Higgins Bedford is hosting events at Bedford Central Library and the Harpur Suite to mark Refugee Week next month.
On Sunday 17th June from 1-6pm, the Harpur Suite will host a fully-packed programme of free events, poetry workshops, the opportunity to learn new languages, food from around the world, fashion, theatre and music in a festival of Bedford’s diversity.
Refugee Week is celebrating 20 years so there will be a chance to learn 20 words in a new language or to write a 20 word poem.
Other events include the performance of a play developed by pupils from Wixams Academy inspired by ‘Dorka’, a teddy bear brought to the UK by Gabrielle when her family fled the Hungarian uprising in 1957.
The Friends of Refugees choir and a choir formed by Music in Detention will both perform and Frinny French Maphosa from In2Beats will be on hand, and there will be a fashion show and food from all over the world to enjoy.
Voices: Different Pasts, Shared Futures, a project by The Higgins Bedford and supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, will be showcased on the day. Part of the project has been to collect stories and objects from refugees, asylum seekers and migrants. There will be an opportunity to listen to these stories and even to add your own story at a listening booth.
On the 19th and 20th June there will be Refugee Week events at Bedford Central Library from 11am – 4pm, with a family research trail and the chance find out more about the cultural journeys people and objects have made. There will also be the ‘Living Library’ with the stories and experience of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants.
Councillor Sarah-Jayne Holland, Portfolio Holder for Libraries and Culture said ‘We’re very happy and proud to be part of such a vibrant celebration of the important contribution refugees, asylum seekers and migrants make to our cultural lives.’
