From 15th – 21st June  activities will be taking place across the UK, celebrating the contribution of refugees to the UK.

Refugee Week events guide. Click to download (PDF)

As part of its Norwich City of Refuge Programme, Writers’ Centre Norwich has coordinated a range of activities and events with a partnership of organisations and individuals in Norwich to celebrate Refugee Week across the city.

Refugee Week is a UK-wide programme of events celebrating the contribution of refugees to the UK. During Refugee Week hundreds of events take place across the UK. These range from small community and school activities to art exhibitions, political debates, film screenings, conferences and major music festivals.

To download a PDF of the Refugee Week events guide click the link text or the accompanying front cover image.

Further details of our Norwich City of Refuge Programme can be downloaded here, or click on the accompanying front cover image. Please note that the programme was produced under our former name, New Writing Partnership.

Refugee Week 2009 Events, Norwich, 15th-21st June

Refugee Week: Launch Event From Writers’ Centre Norwich and BBC Voices
Sunday 14th June, Fusion & The Curve in The Forum, Norwich

Writers’ Centre Norwich hosts a reception to mark the launch of Refugee Week in Norwich, featuring the Mayor, BBC Voices, Giles Foden (The Last King of Scotland) and exiled writer Chenjerai Hove.  Open to the public.
5-7pm. Free. To book your place please call Writers’ Centre Norwich on 01603 877177.
Accessibility: Fully accessible for all

Norwich City of Refuge Programme. Click to download

Refugee Week: Shahrazad Digital Stories Screening From Writers’ Centre Norwich and BBC Voices
Sunday 14th June, 2-4pm – Monday 15th – Sunday 20th June, 10am – 5pm, Fusion in The Forum, Norwich

Come into the Forum’s new cinematic space to see films made by young people from Norfolk and across Europe on the topic of home and identity, the result of our Shahrazad digital storytelling project.
Open daily. Free and fully accessible to all. Call 01603 877177 or email info(at)writerscentrenorwich.org.uk for more information.

Refugee Week on Future Radio
7th  – 21st June

Future Radio, Norwich’s community radio station, (96.9FM, www.futureradio.co.uk) will be covering Refugee Week.  Tune in from 7th to 21st June for interviews with event organisers, local artists, and refugees, as well as special features, arts coverage, and information on all the events taking place.
For more information, and to listen again to podcasts of the coverage, head to www.futureradio.co.uk/refugeeweek

Photography: Tobias Madden

Family Sunday: Sanctuary
Sunday 14th June, Children’s Library, Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library.

Come along to this special Refugee Week edition of Family Sunday and help create a ‘hands of friendship’ poster.  You will also be able to add your own view of what sanctuary is to a display of postcards and explore what the world means to you.
2.15-4:00pm. Admission cost: Free. Suitability: 8-13 year olds but open to all. Accessibility: Fully accessible for all.

Family Sunday: Friends
Sunday 14th June, Children’s Library, Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library

‘Friends’ offers a great chance for under-8’s to have fun and explore themes such as friendship, safety, and security.  Whether you are getting messy with hand-print painting or sitting down for exciting storytelling, ‘Friends’ has something for everyone.
2:30-4:00pm, Admission cost: Free. Suitability: Under 8’s.  Open to all but children must be accompanied by an adult. Accessibility: Fully accessible for all.

Persepolis
Sunday 14th June, Cinema City

An expressionistic animation stunningly drawn in black and white, Persepolis is a touching coming-of-age story about an intelligent, outspoken girl growing up during the Iranian revolution. It tells of how fundamentalists seized power, forced the veil on women and imprisoned thousands of dissidents. The film is based on Satrapi’s series of graphic novels and her childhood experiences in Iran, where she survived traumatic encounters with schoolteachers bent on denying her expression, policemen determined to deny her freedom and Iraqi bombs intended to take her life. Dedicated to the people of Iran, PERSEPOLIS is a moving, universally appealing story of one woman’s struggle against oppression that deservedly shared the jury prize at Cannes in 2007.
Time: 2:45pm. Admission cost: Full Price £7.50, Member £5.50, Concessionary member £4.00, Concession £5.00, Child £4.50
Suitability:  12a
Accessibility: Fully accessible for all

History Trail
15th-19th June

Follow the trail of six panels across central Norwich to discover a history of refugees in the city. At each location you will find a museum artefact, library object or Norfolk Record Office document to illustrate their stories. Each of these items has been chosen by refugees and asylum seekers to reflect the continuing issues which matter to them today.
Time: 9:00am – 4:30pm, location: Across Norwich, Admission cost: Free, Suitability: All
Accessibility: Fully accessible for all
A map showing where the panels can be found and places of interest in the story of refugees in Norwich can be downloaded here

Photography: Amaya Roman, 2007

Norwich City of Refuge: A Walk with Frank Meeres
Monday 15th June, Meet at Erpingham Gate if Norwich Cathedral is closed

Norwich has many fascinating stories to tell about refugees in its past: come along and learn about them. A ninety-minute walk through the centre of Norwich, looking at the lasting impact made on the city landscape and environment by refugees over many hundreds of years. The walk will start at Erpingham Gate, at Norwich Cathedral Close and finish at Norwich Roman Catholic Cathedral.
2pm- 3.30pm. This is a family-friendly event, and people of all ages are welcome. Places are limited, to book please call on (01603) 222677. Event is free and fully accessible.

Commoners and Kings– 1,000 years of refugees in Norfolk with Frank Meeres
Tuesday 16th June, The Green Room, The Archive Centre, Martineau Lane

This forty- five minute talk looks at how refugees are recorded within the 12 million documents held by the Norfolk Record Office.  Ranging from Downham Market in the west to Great Yarmouth in the east, and from Cromer in the north to Thetford in the south, this talk looks at the experiences of refugees themselves and also how they have been received in the county. For those interested, there will also be a display of original archive material for you to look at.
1 pm-1.45 pm. No booking required. Event is free and fully accessible. All welcome, but more suitable for older children (12+) and adults.

Food and Stories from Around the World

Tuesday 16th June, Wednesday 17th June – 10:00am-1:30pm, (16th June) North City SureStart Children’s Centre, Angel Road, NR3 3HR, (17th June) Marlpit Community Centre, Hellesdon Roadd, Norwich.

Come along and share a meal with friends from different countries at this International Women’s Friendship Group New Routes.
Admission is free and the event is for women only.

Life on the Borderline by Hoshiar – Stateless! Homeless! Hopeless?
Tuesday 16th June, Norwich Puppet Theatre

An ex-asylum seeker’s poetic and graphic account of statelessness presented by Az Theatre.
The performance will be followed by a short discussion highlighting the issues faced by refugees and asylum seekers in the UK. Those taking part include the scriptwriter Hoshiar, director Jonathan Chadwick, and representatives of the British Red Cross and Norwich International Youth Project.
7.00pm. Tickets £6 available from Norwich Puppet Theatre . Suitable for: Ages 12 and over. Venue is fully accessible.

Asylum Dialogues
Tuesday 16th June, Norwich Playhouse

Join Writers’ Centre Norwich at the Norwich Playhouse on Tuesday 16th June for a performance of documentary play Asylum Dialogues, highlighting some of the many acts of solidarity shown by British people towards refugees living alongside them.
7:30pm. £6 available via the Box office 01603 598598, online at www.norwichplayhouse.org.uk or on the door. Event fully accessible. Suitability: 14+

Who were the Norwich Strangers?
Wednesday 17th June, Great Hall at Strangers’ Hall

Brochure correction: Strangers’ Hall is NOT fully accessible for all users.  Visitors with disabilities may bring one companion in free. The museum is not accessible to wheelchair users. Assistance dogs are welcome. For detailed advice about access, telephone 01603 493625.

An informal tour with Cathy Terry, Curator of Social History, looking at the contribution made by the Flemish, Dutch and Walloon refugee communities to Norwich in the 16th and 17th centuries. Find out about how the Strangers’ were invited to settle in Norwich to introduce new textile technology and explore traces of the early weaving industry still evident in the today’s city landscape.
2:00pm. Booking essential, please telephone 01603 495897 to book as places are limited. Cost: Normal Admission charge to museum only. Adult: £3.30, Family Ticket: £9.10, Concession*: £2.80, Young Person (4-16): £1.80

Late Shift Refugee Special
Wednesday 17th June, Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, Gallery Cafe and Education Studio

Drop in to this Late Shift special as part of Refugee Week and celebrate the contribution refugees make to our community. Enjoy live music, films and temporary installations exploring themes of identity and cultural diversity in Norfolk.
5:00-8:00pm. Free. Booking not required.

Refugee Encounters – An Amnesty International event
Wednesday 17th June, Charing Cross Centre, Norwich, NR2 1DN

Norwich Amnesty International have invited speakers from the British Red Cross Refugee Services to give a Refugee Awareness presentation. Learn about the difference between an asylum seeker and a refugee, hear some amazing stories about people who have fled from situations of torture and persecution and are rebuilding their lives in the UK and about the work of the British Red Cross in supporting people in crisis.
For further information on this event please call: 01603 620696
8:00-10:00pm. Free. Suitable for: Ages 16 and over

Refugees who changed the world
Thursday 18th June, Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts

Many refugees, especially German speaking Jews fleeing the Holocaust, have made a distinctive and transformative impression on the art world.
A number of people had a significant influence in East Anglia, including Willi Guttsman and Peter Lasko, founding University Librarian and Professor of Fine Art. This talk, given by Dr Veronica Sekules, herself from a refugee family, will trace stories of some influential refugees and their works of art.
1:15pm-1:45pm. Free (but admission will be charged for talks that enter the special exhibition area)

‘A Welcome without Reservation’? Norfolk and the Hungarian Diaspora of 1956.
By Clive Wilkins-Jones
Thursday 18th June, The Green Room, The Archive Centre, Marineau Lane, NR1 2DQ

A talk about what happened in Hungary in 1956, the exodus of refugees and how Norfolk coped with the many hundreds who settled in the county. The talk will also look into the difficulty of researching such a topic, as much of the evidence comes from the survivors, who are a dwindling band.
1 pm-1.45pm. No booking required. Free of charge

Asylum Voice Community Cuisines Taster Event
Friday 19th June, The Hall behind St Augustine’s Church, St Augustine’s Street, Norwich

Come along and sample food and music from across the world. There will also be a wellbeing evening, Norwich Mind’s project entitled ‘Inclusion’ will offer free taster sessions of complementary massages and relaxation techniques.
5-10pm. Free. Booking: Not Required

Refugee Week: Three Short Plays by Harold Pinter
Presented by Writers’ Centre Norwich and Norwich Theatre Royal Actors Company
Friday 19th June, The Curve, Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library, Norwich.

Presenting One for the Road, Ashes to Ashes and Press Conference – rehearsed readings of three extraordinary short plays about torture, abuse and autocratic regime by the Nobel Prize winning playwright Harold Pinter in the Forum’s new space The Curve.
7.45pm (running time 70 mins). Tickets £3and on sale from The Theatre Royal Box Office (01603 630000) and online at The Norwich Theatre Royal website

Family Event: the Strangers of Norwich
Saturday 20th June, Undercroft at Strangers’ Hall

Brochure correction: Strangers’ Hall is NOT fully accessible for all users.  Visitors with disabilities may bring one companion in free. The museum is not accessible to wheelchair users. Assistance dogs are welcome. For detailed advice about access, telephone 01603 493625.

Drop in family event focusing on the lives and times of the Strangers of Norwich in partnership with the Norwich Record Office.  Use original sources such as inventories to find out more about who the Strangers’ were, what they had in their homes and what clothes they wore. Have a go at painting your own Dutch style tile.
11:00am-12.30pm and 2.00pm-4.00pm. Normal admission charge to museum only. Adult: £3.30, Family Ticket: £9.10, Concession*: £2.80, Young Person (4-16): £1.80, Suitable for ages 7 and over.

Living Library
Saturday 20th June, outside the Forum

Following its success and popularity over the past 6 months, there will be a Living Library event focusing on the theme of refugees and asylum seekers.  It works just like a regular library, but instead of borrowing a paperback, members of the public are invited to borrow a person for up to half an hour for a conversation.  “Book titles” will include members and support workers from the Norwich refugee and asylum community.  The idea behind this library is to bring people from different backgrounds together and learn about each other’s experiences.
12pm – 5pm. Free. 16 or under to be accompanied by an adult.

‘A Welcome without Reservation’? Norfolk and the Hungarian Diaspora of 1956.
By Clive Wilkins-Jones
Saturday 20th June, The Heritage Centre, Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library

A talk about what happened in Hungary in 1956, the exodus of refugees and how Norfolk coped with the many hundreds who settled in the county. The talk will also look into the difficulty of researching such a topic, as much of the evidence comes from the survivors, who are a dwindling band.
11:00am. No booking required. Free of charge.

The Kite Runner
Sunday 21st June, Cinema City

In a divided country on the verge of war, two childhood friends, Amir and Hassan, are about to be torn apart forever in this superlative adaptation of Khaled Hosseini’s much admired novel. It’s a glorious afternoon in Kabul and the skies are filled with the exhilarating joy of a kite-fighting tournament. But in the aftermath of the day’s victory, one boy’s fearful act of betrayal will mark their lives forever and set in motion an epic quest for redemption. After 20 years of living in America, Amir (Abdalla) returns to a perilous Afghanistan under Taliban rule to face the secrets that still haunt him and take one last daring chance to set things right.
Time 2:45pm,
Admission cost: Full Price £7.50, Member £5.50, Concessionary member £4.00, Concession £5.00, Child £4.50
Suitability:  12a
Accessibility: Fully accessible for all

Family Fun day at Eaton Park
Sunday 21st June, Eaton Park, off South Park Avenue

To celebrate the finale of Refugee Week, Writers’ Centre Norwich are organising a family fun day at Eaton park that will include entertaining activities for all comers.
Bring along your family picnic and enjoy activities ranging from storytelling for young people, poetry readings, face painting, carnival costumes and a good helping of traditional brass band music to play out the day.

11-4pm. Free. For further information contact Writers’ Centre Norwich on 01603 877177 or email info[at]writerscentrenorwich.org.uk