Bath Refugee Festival is set to return tomorrow, offering eight days filled with art, music, food, and inspiring talks led by local refugees. Running from Saturday, June 13 through Saturday, June 20, the festival honors the stories and contributions of refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers within the community.
Festival founder Hiba Elhindi shared her motivation: “When I moved to Bath, I was captivated by its beauty and welcoming spirit, yet I also saw the challenges many newcomers face in finding connection and community. This festival celebrates the rich cultures and experiences that enrich our city, creating spaces for learning, sharing, and building lasting bonds.”
Elhindi, a Sudanese-British arts practitioner, was inspired to start the festival after engaging with refugee and migrant communities in nearby Bristol. The inaugural Bath Refugee Festival took place last year at Fairfield House, drawing around 400 attendees.
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This year’s edition boasts an expansive programme of activities. Highlights include an evening showcasing Ukrainian culture with a dinner prepared by MasterChef finalist Iryna Malenka, and a historical tour exploring Bath’s refugee heritage guided by the Mayor’s Guide.
The festivities culminate in the flagship event, Celebrating Sanctuary, held at Fairfield House on Saturday, June 20, from 1 to 7 pm. This vibrant celebration will feature diverse cultural experiences such as a Vietnamese summer roll demonstration by Noya’s Kitchen, a Sudanese coffee ceremony, poetry from Sudanese and Palestinian voices, live music from Hong Kong artists, African drumming, Brazilian Fuxico textile craft workshops, and much more.
Bath Refugee Festival is part of National Refugee Week, which begins on Monday, June 15, and embraces this year’s theme of ‘courage.’ Elhindi reflects, “The festival is more than just events; it’s about acknowledging the invaluable contributions of refugees and migrants, fostering cultural expression, and making sure everyone who calls Bath home feels a genuine sense of belonging.”
The festival runs from Saturday, June 13 to Saturday, June 20. Many events are free, but advance booking is recommended.