Refugee Week
18 Jun 2009
Refugee Week 2009 at Sherman is in full flow with sixty participants aged 12-60 from over 20 countries engaged in exciting creative collaborations.
It’s all in the mix at Sherman this week: with participants from China to Cameroon, Newport to Nepal, making friends and making theatre, great acts like Benjamin Zephaniah and Shappi Khorsandi taking to our stages, and infectious enthusiasm from everyone involved.
The week has featured workshops from some of Wales's leading arts practitioners such as Earthfall, Living Pictures and Creative Voice. There has been an excellent turn out, bringing together people from communities all over the world, giving people the opportunity to express their personal stories and their collective cultures. On Monday Jody Kamali kindly stepped at the last minute to provide a night of comedy entertainment.
Tuesday night saw an evening of presentation and debate about the role of practitioners working in situations of crisis, with Hua Dan (China), Ice and Fire (UK) and Theatre versus Oppression. Questions about how artists and asylum seekers can work together in sustained and authentic ways were raised and it’s hoped that out of the debate will grow deeper connections and understanding.
Other events this week include Benjamin Zephaniah, Little Leap Forward, Shappi Khorsandi, Creating a Storm as well as more engaging and creative workshops.
Refugee Week is part of a UK wide programme of arts and educational events which celebrates the contribution made by refugees and asylum seekers to UK culture.
Sherman Cyrmu’s programme of events is part of the ongoing Community and Engagement Project, which offers opportunities for asylum seekers, refugees and local people to work creatively together.
For more information contact Llinos Mai or Fleur Missaghian
