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I have always been a slightly restless soul, seeking new adventures and challenges with a career that encompasses also sorts of work including running a Go-Kart track and being a Voice Coach, amongst other roles. Having become disillusioned with living near London and my work at that time as a corporate event manager, I moved to Bristol seeking more accessibility to nature and to explore more creative pursuits. Bristol provided a plethora of options and I threw myself into workshops and Festivals. Finding meaningful work was a bit elusive, but a chance conversation with Deasy Bamford from Tribe of Doris changed all that. They were looking for someone to help with their events and activities and had heard on the grapevine that I was good at organising stuff! This connected me to Celebrating Sanctuary and refugee week and after a few years coordinating this event I suggested that we could expand the programme and the Festival was born.

In 2019 I felt that whilst the annual Festival in June was very successful and raised awareness of refugees and asylum seekers, it was very centralised and happened in one month of the year. It did not connect refugees and asylum seekers to the communities they lived in and give them opportunities to share their skills and culture in those localities and create longer-term meaningful relationships. So, with funding from the Lottery, we began our community engagement programme and spread our activities across the city and beyond.

I am so proud of what our tiny team has achieved over the last few years. We have negotiated all sorts of challenges including a global pandemic and the hostile environment created by the last government. And even though there is a new dangerous, divisive narrative arising around the world, I am a strong believer that there are many more of us who wish to unite our communities and create welcoming spaces for all.

This year’s theme CommUnity as a superpower, reflects this perfectly and we really look forward to working with communities across Bristol and South Gloucestershire to celebrate our rich and diverse heritage.

Our next planning Meeting is on Thursday 13th February 10-12.30 at Bristol Old Vic.

On a sunny day in late October, our team of ambassadors visited Bath to look around the famous Roman Baths.

Mariia writes:

 “I enjoyed learning about how the Romans used the natural hot water from the spring. It was exciting to see the hot water bubbling up, and I even got to try drinking some of the mineral-rich water, which was a unique experience! The place is full of history!”

Sherien was struck by the stunning decorated ceiling in the entrance to the baths, and she writes about the structure and organisation of the baths :

“I admired the symmetry in the design, and the way the heating system was constructed, particularly the building’s orientation concerning the sun and weather. I was impressed by how they used hot and cold water for treatments and how they used the spacious area by including exercise zones, leisure centres and rooms of various sizes.

The hand-held audio guides are excellent. I was pleasantly surprised by the variety of languages available, and I appreciated how they made it easier for everyone to understand by allowing visitors to choose their preferred language at the reception.

I am very grateful for the visit to the Roman Baths. I hope more can be done to encourage more people to explore this beautiful historical site and learn about its history, especially those from diverse backgrounds.”

Fariha was also impressed by the history of the baths and moved by the beauty of the city :

“Exploring the Roman Baths was especially interesting. I was amazed by how the Romans heated the water and built such an impressive structure over 2,000 years ago. Walking through the ancient baths and seeing the hot springs up close really brought history to life.

Another highlight was tasting the famous spa water from the fountain in the Roman Baths museum. The water contains 43 minerals and has drawn visitors for centuries, believed to have healing powers. Drinking the warm, mineral-rich water connected me to Bath’s long history of health and wellness.

The city itself, with its beautiful Georgian buildings, added to the charm and made the day unforgettable. After visiting the Roman Baths museum, we took a lovely walk along the river. The breeze and weather were perfect, and we took a group picture and enjoyed a meal together. This walk helped me connect with nature, improved my social skills, and had a positive impact on my mental health. It also gave me more confidence to travel. I’m very grateful to the Bristol Refugee Festival for organising such a meaningful day trip for Ambassadors.”

Hello! I’m Esther, the new Programme Coordinator at Bristol Refugee Festival. I arrived in the UK last year and am thrilled to be part of this organisation.

Starting this role holds deep meaning for me. Coming from a migrant background, I understand the challenges of settling into a new culture and how essential it is to create a sense of belonging. My journey brought me here with a drive to help others find connection and support, especially those who, like me, have experienced the challenges of building a new life in a new place.

Before coming to the UK, I worked on events supporting the resettling community in Taiwan, where I saw how powerful community gatherings could be. These experiences taught me how much we all benefit from building strong connections—whether we’re offering help or receiving it. Working here, I can help others find their way into the community while also strengthening my own sense of belonging, which is something truly important to me.

My love for arts and crafts, and especially food, is something I hope to share with others. I believe food and creativity bring people together, bridging cultural gaps and creating shared experiences. Few things connect us as effortlessly as a meal shared or a craft created together, and I’m excited to bring these passions into my role to help foster community spirit.

Having joined the team two months ago, I’ve already been part of some remarkable events showcasing the vibrant cultural contributions of Bristol’s refugees and asylum-seekers. In September, I attended the inspiring “Horn of Africa” event at Eastville Park, where refugees and asylum seekers shared their talents as musicians, poets, artists, and chefs, creating an unforgettable sense of community.

Another highlight was the “Welcome Chat” in Kingswood, where community members gathered to connect, share ideas, and offer skills. I loved seeing the warmth and support for each other and am excited for our outreach into new areas around Bristol and South Gloucestershire.

Looking ahead, I’m thrilled about our first Planning Meeting for the 2025 Festival on Wednesday, 27th November, at Trinity Community Arts. This will be a great opportunity to gather ideas for next year’s arts, culture, and educational events. We invite all communities, artists, venues, and organisations to join us in shaping this celebration.

I look forward to learning from each of you and celebrating the diverse cultures that make our community so special. See you at the planning meeting—I’m excited to work together to make the 2025 Festival unforgettable!

BRF Refugee Engagement Officer Danny shares his memories of this year’s celebrations at Queen Square.

“In June 2023, Celebrating Sanctuary returned to Queen Square for the first time since 2019 after a pandemic-enforced hiatus, and came around again in 2024.

“This has long been the flagship event for the BRF, bringing together refugees, asylum seekers, music lovers and sun bathers, with music from refugee performers and food from refugee cooks, and its return gave us a chance to enjoy a day of solidarity.

“Both this year and last, we’ve proudly presented a programme that has involved refugees as either lead performers or lead collaborators.

We’ve heard music from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Sudan, Congo, Cameroon, Tibet, and singers from Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Brazil, dancers from Nicaragua, Colombia, and Honduras, speakers from Sudan, Kurdistan, Kosovo, and India.

” And this year, for the first time this year at Celebrating Sanctuary, we saw the performances pause for a procession snaking its way to Sufi rhythms around the square to a Sudanese coffee corner.

“These celebrations at Queen Square give us the chance to bring people together from diverse backgrounds, into one place to celebrate our shared humanity, and to enjoy some amazing collaborations between refugee and local performers.”