Festival

The WEA Learning Hub in St Pauls invites you to an open day celebrating the courage and resilience of their ESOL learners. Representing over 40 nationalities of refugees and asylum seekers, the WEA learners are coming together to showcase their diverse journeys of arriving in the UK, settling into new neighbourhoods and learning a new […]

Join us at Greenway in the Community Garden to share your stories of courage over delicious picnic food. When: Wednesday 10 June 2026, 3pm - 6pm Where: Greenway Centre Community Garden, Greenway Centre, Doncaster Road, Bristol BS10 5PY Free (no booking required) Find out more here: Southmead Stories of Courage Picnic – Southmead Development Trust

A talk and poetry reading (indaba) with Ambrose Musiyiwa, a poet and journalist, and Helen Moore, a Bristol-based ecopoet and academic. Musiyiwa co-edits the Africa Migration Report Poetry Anthology Series, which has recently published As British as Fish and Chips, an anthology of writings by and about refugees crossing the English Channel. Moore, whose latest […]

Words have always carried people across borders. As part of Evolve Music's Community Rhythms project, Bristol City Poet Sukina Noor invites you to find your voice, claim your story, and discover the power of your own words in this special poetry workshop at Bristol Refugee Festival. Whether you are new to poetry or have been […]

A poetry reading and dialogue between Zimbabwean poet and journalist Ambrose Musiyiwa and Bristol-based ecopoet Helen Moore. Musiyiwa co-edits the Africa Migration Report Poetry Anthology Series, and is the founder of Forced Migration and The Arts, a global network that brings together people with lived experience of forced migration, artists, academics, activists and art spaces. […]

A short walk with Bristol City of Sanctuary to explore the legacy of Bristol and it's role today as a welcoming city. This is an opportunity to learn more about the history of Bristol through the buildings that define it and how they relate to the past. The walk will end at the Sanctuary Garden […]

Join Migrateful for an evening of conversation, food and music that explores the question, how do we build meaningful connection and understanding across differences? Jess Thompson, Migrateful’s Founder and CEO, will interview newly elected Lord Mayor of Bristol, Yassin Mohamud, about how we can build unity across Bristol. She will also be speaking with Migrateful's Trinidadian […]

Mir Rahimi is a dedicated advocate for peace, justice and human rights. Born in Afghanistan, he moved to the UK in 2001 as a child refugee and went on to earn a master’s degree in political theory from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) in 2011. He will be in conversation, discussing […]

A continuation of Bristol Sanctuary Theatre’s performance Noman’s Land, first presented at Bristol Beacon. This visually striking performance follows Noman, a refused asylum seeker, on a surreal journey towards an imagined land of hope and despair. As past and present collide, he encounters fellow travellers, ghosts, and shifting realities. Noman’s Night Flight gives voice to […]

Join Arnolfini for a special Women’s Craft Club event! Explore traditional textile craft led by a Ukrainian artist and maker Svitlana Trygub. You’ll be guided through felt sewing and embroidery techniques while creating decorative pieces based on Ukrainian floral motifs—symbols often associated with protection and storytelling. Learn about Ukrainian embroidery traditions and the symbols that […]

Experience the soulful sound of the bağlama, the heartbeat of Turkish folk music, with singer/ musician Ozcan Ates, accompanied by three UK based musicians. The evening will be hosted by Michael Loader of Somerset Storyfest. There will be food, time to talk, stalls and most importantly community and connection. When: Friday 19 June 2026, 6.30pm […]

Our annual flagship event and festival finale showcasing Bristol refugee talent with live performances, activities, games, kids area, trade stalls and delicious food. Bring your friends and family for a great day out! When: Sunday 21 June 2026, 12.30pm - 6pm Where: College Green, Bristol