People from different backgrounds will celebrate diversity and cultural exchange as part of Refugee Festival Scotland.
Glasgow’s West End will see Glaswegians from all walks of life connecting through music, poetry and food.
The Scottish Inter-cultural Association (SIA) will host the Kelvingrove Community Friendship BBQ, in partnership with the International Welcome Club, for the first time as part of the festival.
The celebration of culture and connection on Friday 13 June will see the music and art of many countries come together, from Scotland, Syria and Sri Lanka, to Morocco, Palestine and Indonesia.
Poetry
Ceilidh aficionado and accordionist Gary Blair will have the Scottish traditional tunes ringing out, while poetry readings in languages including Arabic, Shona, Tamil and Portuguese, will give attendees a moment to reflect and absorb themselves in the spoken word performances.
The summer celebration will be topped off with delicious food from around the world.
Staged in a relaxed, welcoming setting, the event aims to create a space where friendships can flourish across cultures and where asylum seekers, refugees, and local residents can feel a genuine sense of connection and belonging.
Scottish Inter-cultural Association CEO Ahmad Mourad said: “We believe events like this are vital for building stronger, more compassionate communities.
“They offer meaningful opportunities for integration by allowing people to connect as neighbours, friends, and equals.
“It’s one thing to welcome people in principle – it’s another to sit beside them, share food, hear their stories, and laugh together.
“We’re especially delighted to be co-hosting this event with our friends at the International Welcome Club of Kelvin West Church.
We believe events like this are vital for building stronger, more compassionate communities. They offer meaningful opportunities for integration by allowing people to connect as neighbours, friends, and equals - Ahmad Mourad
“They do fantastic work all year round to support newcomers, and it’s a real pleasure to collaborate with them as part of Refugee Festival Scotland.
“We look forward to welcoming people from all walks of life to join these celebrations in the west end of Glasgow.”
The event is one of more than 150 running across Scotland from 13 – 22 June for Refugee Festival Scotland.
This year marks a significant milestone as the festival celebrates 25 years of celebrating art, culture and community and marks the 40th anniversary of festival organisers Scottish Refugee Council.
This year’s theme, Milestones, celebrates decades of cultural enrichment, renewal and welcome, made possible by providing sanctuary in Scotland. It pays tribute to the effort, creativity and coming together of so many to sustain this.
Refugee Festival Scotland is produced by Scottish Refugee Council. Full programme details are now online: refugeefestivalscotland.co.uk.
- The Kelvingrove Community Friendship BBQ takes place at 2pm on Friday 13 June, meeting at Kelvin West Church Halls, 77 Southwark Avenue (opposite University of Glasgow)
