BLOG

Diego Pena

The city of Bristol has two faces, day and night. When the sun covers the city, people live their lives as usual, go to work, school or whatever. If you’re lucky you can run into random situations and random conversations with random but lovely characters.

Talking to many people I realised that it is not something unusual to hear that Bristol is a city where creative people explode and collaborate. When the sun is gone and the night arises, Bristol can go to sleep in some areas or it can be frenetic in others, filled with people having fun without carrying about any sort of problems whatsoever.

On the 16^th February, I went to Strange Brew to take some photos. The evening started calmly as people were arriving and the place was getting crowded. I was walking around the stage and the place in general getting familiarised and checking any good spots to get some shots.

The stage was full of musical equipment, instruments that I had never seen in my nineteen years of existence, cables, microphones and more cables. I knew then that it wasn’t just a normal gig, it was going to be one that people would enjoy because it was something new… And I know people love new.

Once the place was almost full – and I am talking about actually being full with people having to squeeze to fit – the music started.

I can describe the music I heard at the beginning with words like soft, inspiring, living or just fresh. The music was played by a duo making the sound with a trumpet and what looked like the son of a harp and a guitar.

The feeling of being there listening to them and telling the meaning of those songs without lyrics, allowed you to tell that the songs were created while experiencing different palettes of emotions. You could tell that every song had a story behind it, some of those stories that you only read about in books or hear somewhere else because you can not imagine them, because you don’t know what colour the sun is in those places, how people talk and act, what the feeling of those places being your home is.

I remember taking some photos when I saw a guy standing next to me staring at the weird instrument trying to hear its sound carefully, knowing that after that evening it was going to be difficult to hear it again. I thought about how comforting it is to know that in this city there are people that treasure these little things that different cultures have to offer and yet they are also proud of theirs.

Following the first act, some poetry was read, poems written by a guy in Palestine. They told us how much it meant to him that his writing could travel that far away and that it could be heard by people. Everyone was silent and tried to listen carefully.

I think that sometimes we just don’t think that much about poetry, and we forget that it can contain a lot of power. We forget that just some verses can protect a tiny piece of history from being forgotten, that it can be the solemn proof that the passion living in the hearts of people around the world can be immortal.

 The culmination of the night was the show of the Orchestra of Samples, a lovely show that gathered the sounds of different musicians from around the world and mixed them into songs.

Some minutes after their show started, I looked back and was amazed at how people were dancing without caring about anything else. I had the vibe that they were extremely concentrated on it as if it was their way of saying thank you to the guys playing the music on the stage.

They never got tired, they never wanted to stop and, even when the show was over, I saw them leaving the place with a smile. I was right: people love new.

Words and photos: Diego Pena

On 29 February we held the planning meeting for our 2024 festival at Bristol Old Vic. It was exciting to see the room buzzing with so many different people, organisations and ideas. We set the tone by sharing cultural ideas about how to celebrate the return of spring.

And – as we always like to be a bit different and work with what particularly resonates with Bristol communities – we collectively settled on ‘Home’ as our local theme for 2024, to complement the national Refugee Week theme of ‘Our Home’.

One of our festival stalwarts, Tenzin Sangmo, has shared with us her memories of festivals past and why she’s looking forward to celebrating on the theme of ‘home’ this year.

“Bristol Refugee Festival (BRF) has always been an exciting moment for me and my Tibetan community in Bristol.

As a small thriving community in the midst of Bristol, a huge multicultural city, we have been given the opportunity to be seen and heard, and have never been left out.

Unlike other organisations who catch their eye on the big, loud and popular ones, BRF focuses on social inclusion and the deprived, giving opportunities for communities to showcase their stories, distinct cultures and human rights issues and concerns.

It has been a privilege and honour to be part of BRF every year observing our ‘Tibet Day’, looking towards the preservation of our unique culture and sharing the stories of Tibetan refugees around the world.

This year the theme ‘Home‘ sounds to me so warm and emotional too. Not everyone has a home although they have a place to live. For an individual ‘Home’ is a place where they can be anything, be loved and feel free. 

Especially for those who fled from persecution, for a refugee, from shock and torture, we all have a role to play. To create a connecting support service, understanding their culture and background, freeing them from fear and danger in this place.

Making them feel at home is the prime goal of all of us and of those services who are there to support them. The BRF team always works towards achieving those goals and I commend their multiculturalism and inclusive approach.

I really love this theme, very apt to celebrate and to work on.  Bristol, City of Sanctuary, a Home!”

Tenzin Sangmo

This year’s festival takes place 8 to 23 June 2024. Subscribe to our newsletter and stay tuned to our channels to be the first to get eyes on the full events programme.

I’m Sam. I have been in Bristol for around 15 years. I love living in a culturally rich and diverse city, with inspiring people and communities. It makes life both interesting, and very fun! I’ve always had a passion for foreign languages and learning about different people and cultures… This interest continues to open up doors to new worlds; art, food, traditions, music and new friends. 

After working at the University of Bristol, welcoming and advising international students for a number of years, I was keen to go on my own international adventure – working in Japan, Ecuador, Chile, Argentina, Costa Rica and New Zealand, I learnt a lot! 

On my return, I was excited to start with BRF, as the team administrator. I have particularly enjoyed supporting the team with its community engagement work, and coordinating the festival programme. 2023 was  definitely a busy one… We started the year with the South West conference. It was brilliant to meet people from all over, and was a great opportunity for our team of refugee and asylum seeker ambassadors to influence the narrative, and share their thoughts. It brought the importance of individuals with lived experience informing our work to the forefront. The ambassador programme has been a real highlight in terms of our growth, and we have all learned a lot by working together and getting to know each other. 

Last year, it felt like there was a thirst for live events again, after a couple of uncertain years. Organisers and attendees were filled with enthusiasm to support and take part in the festival. We had a record number of events in the June programme and were very excited to be able to bring Celebrating Sanctuary back to Queen Square.

So, a very happy new year from us all at BRF.  Most of us are probably thinking about Spring now! We are getting ready to launch in to our next cycle of events, kicking off with a fundraiser gig on 16th Feb. We are putting on an exciting audio-visual global music show at Strange Brew; Addictive TV’s Orchestra Of Samples, featuring Bristol based Cameroonian artist Alphonse Daudet Touna (Hélélé) ‘A unique musical journey without borders, taking in Senegal, Kazakhstan, Indonesia, Colombia, Brazil, India and more.’ Support act is the amazing Bristol Griot. This will be a brilliant evening, find out more and get tickets here.

We also have the 2024 Festival planning meeting coming up on Thurs 29th February. Bristol Old Vic are hosting us, and we look forward to lively discussions around the Refugee Week theme ‘Our Home’, and sharing ideas for this year’s programme. Places are booking up fast, so do sign up now to reserve your spot.

As we launch in to planning the 2024 Festival Programme (June 8 – 23), we remember how important it is to spend time breaking down barriers and experiencing joy in each other’s cultures and music. Finding ways for everyone to share their cultures and skills is key. When we welcome and connect, we form stronger and happier communities.

Hey, I’m Reem, an 18-year-old newcomer at the Bristol Refugee Festival, stepping into the role of their youngest events ambassador.

Back in May 2023, my drive to support Sudan during its war led me to a quest for fundraising. I knew nothing about events planning, but my dad connected me with Vandna (BRF Community Engagement lead) who became my guiding star through the entire event planning journey. Together, we crafted an event that managed to pull in over £500! When I later found myself in Egypt, I made sure those funds reached Sudanese families seeking refuge there.

Being part of the Bristol Refugee Festival is more than a title; it’s a gratitude-filled experience. It’s opened doors to meeting incredible souls and diving into the richness of diverse cultures and religions. The last event was a standout moment when Vandna graciously invited me on stage to share a poem expressing what “home” truly means to me. Here is my poem.

In the heart of Sudan , where the Nile winds sing,
Our home echoed love, a cherished spring.
Beneath the sun’s caress, on ancient ground,
Safety and warmth, a heartbeat’s surround.

Then fate unfurled a map anew,
Bristol’s streets embraced a different view
From Khartoum’s glow to Clifton’s air,
Our home transplanted, a journey so rare.

“To me, a home is where you feel loved,
Safe and cherished,” Malala quoted
Our home is comfort and keeps us motivated
In each brick of our dwelling, that truth rings,
A sanctuary where family springs.

Bristol’s skyline, a canvas to explore,
Yet Sudan’s echoes in every door.
New accents blend with tales untold,
A quilt of cultures, both young and old.

In the heart of our home, where laughter weaves,
A sanctuary where each soul believes.
From Sudan’s plains to England’s west,
Our home is truly blessed.

Hi! I’m Carlota (she/her). I’m a Portuguese theatre and performance artist based in Bristol and have lived in the UK for 8 years. I work with artists, communities and young people, focusing on co-creation, access and social change.

As a migrant, issues of identity and belonging are very present for me and I bring them into my work, as well as my experiences of mental ill-health. I frequently work as Director/ Facilitator with organisations such as Myers-Insole Local Learning CIC, Lightbox Theatre, Many Minds mental health charity, Travelling Light theatre company and Bristol Old Vic.

In 2022, I started to develop a methodology for inclusive practice which embraces and removes language barriers, incorporating different languages and translation on stage, and integrates access for d/Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent people.

I organised some workshops for migrant women in February/March 2023 at Docklands Community Centre and Bristol Refugee Festival (BRF) were incredibly supportive, helping to promote the sessions and even coming along.

Attending BRF events always made me feel very welcome. There is something comforting in being in a room filled with people from different cultures and nationalities. I find it so much easier to connect with others over this shared experience of not being from the UK, and the understanding of the challenges that migration poses.

The success of my workshops led to a partnership with Bristol-based charity Borderlands, and we ran two theatre workshops for women as part of BRF’s festival programme in June.

I strongly believe that theatre can be a powerful tool for self-expression, to bring people together and improve wellbeing. It can be a great platform to raise awareness, increase empathy and improve representation. In my work, I am dedicated to breaking down barriers in access to the arts, and creating high-quality cultural experiences which defy perceptions of what theatre is and who it’s for.

Activities at Borderlands theatre group for migrant women. Photo: Chelsey Cliff

Since September 2023, we offer free weekly theatre workshops for migrant women at Borderlands, alongside theatre trips and opportunities to share our work. This participatory theatre project addresses language barriers and explores identity and what it means to be a woman in different cultures. We have so many skills and knowledge in our group and these sessions offer an opportunity to try new things in a supportive environment.

We have also been working with Ania Varez, a Venezuelan dance and movement artist based in Bristol. We are always open for new participants to join us and all levels of English are welcome.

We had our first sharing as part of Theatre of Migration, an event commissioned by Counterpoints Arts for Platforma Festival 2023. Some of the participants ran an ice-breaker for the audience and showcased their art, writing, crafts and food recipes.

As part of the event, community artist Hiba Elhindi showed a film about her brilliant work with the Sudanese community and we discussed the ethics of participation, making theatre from lived experience and working with migrants, chaired by (BRF community engagement officer) Vandna.

I am so pleased to be able to work alongside such inspiring people and outstanding organisations who bring their expertise to our work together. The event was filmed and I am writing some reflections to be published alongside the recording – keep an eye on Counterpoints’ socials!

Vandna (left) and Carlota (right) participating in discussion at Platforma. Photo: Chelsey Cliff

Our next sharing will be on 7th December at Borderlands and will include a yummy meal. Everyone is invited and there will be a crèche available, as well as BSL interpretation. Book your free place here.

I am also currently directing Bristol, do you mind? with Many Minds. It’s a piece about people’s connection to Bristol and public spaces in the city. It will be performed on 5th December at Travelling Light Studio (Wellspring Settlement). Tickets available on Eventbrite.

Finally, I have been working internationally with Future Laboratory, a project of research residences throughout Europe to identify missing narratives on our stages.

Find more information about my work on my website or by following me on instagram.

Main photo credit: Seb Peters

Sevilay Kaya is a Bristol-based graphic designer intent on working with purpose-led organisations. She created the beautiful ‘compassion tree’ design at the centre of this year’s festival materials. She tells us more about her inspiration behind the image, why she chooses projects she cares about and what she’s currently working on.

I’m Sevilay. I moved to the UK from Turkey about two years ago; I live in Bristol and work self-employed through my own company.

I studied law in Turkey and worked as a lawyer for about five years. However, since I did not feel happy in this field, I also took graphic design training in 2018 and tried to improve myself.

I now provide legal consultancy services and also services in design.

I had the opportunity to meet the Refugee Festival team through Ashley Community Housing (ACH). I had heard about the festival before, but since I was new to Bristol I didn’t have the chance to attend. The idea of designing the festival’s materials was inspiring because I was impressed by their mission of celebrating diversity; I cared about expanding this festival and reaching more people. I think the fact that I have a migrant background definitely contributed to this :))

 I was also aware of the power of design in expanding the festival and making it eye-catching. For this reason, I started working on a simple design that aligned with the festival’s mission and this year’s theme, ‘compassion’. But I have to admit, the idea came to me after our first meeting with the team, and I loved it! Fortunately, the team agreed with me and we continued with a 2023 tree design.

The most emotional moment during this process was seeing my drawing on many people’s t-shirts at the Celebrating Sanctuary event at Queen Square on the festival’s last day. It was a perfect feeling for me. I still get so excited when I see someone wearing a t-shirt with this design!

I really care about the mission and vision of the organisations I work with and what the design will serve. It is also precious to support small businesses because I am going through similar processes and am familiar with their difficulties.

I am currently working on projects that excite me, the most exciting being a children’s book I illustrated. I am collaborating with another small business owner friend. The book includes poems about 12 national flowers that are good for bees and explains about seeds and how to compost.

On another exciting project, I am working with the Bristol Palestine Film Festival. I support them in designing marketing materials under the festival’s theme this year. Likewise, the mission and vision of this festival influenced me to work with them. They have decided this year to raise funds for Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP), a charity working in Gaza and the wider region providing frontline medical services. For this reason, it makes me happy to work with them this year.

I am working with Bristol Beacon on another project related to the coming together of people from many cultures. They will share the details soon, but this project excites me. And of course, we have many ongoing projects with ACH.

Follow me on instagram to find out more! See my portfolio here.