Celebrating city diversity

After fleeing war or political instability in their home countries many refugees have made positive contributions to life in Hull.

Hull Refugee Week is a chance to celebrate their contributions.
It's one of more than 450 similar events across Britain that challenge negative stereotypes of refugees and asylum seekers, and help to promote understanding about why people need to seek sanctuary in this country.

Above and top: last year's Refugee Week event in Queen's Gardens

Refugee Week – June 18 - 23

Monday June 18
African art and music
The Lamp club, Norfolk Street, Beverley Road
8pm onwards

Tuesday June 19
Open day
Asylum Seekers and Refugees Kingston Upon Hull (ARKH),
Albion Street
11am to 3pm
Kurdish food plus workshops about the experiences of refugees fleeing war

Thursday June 21
Taking Asylum conference
Hull Community Church, Cottingham Road
4pm to 7pm
Features drama, art and food, and talks from refugees about their experiences of fleeing war to come to Hull

Saturday June 23
Gig in the Gardens
Queen's Gardens, Hull city centre
12 noon to 5pm
Food and live music from around the world, musical instrument and singing workshops, storytelling, henna painting and a bouncy castle.

Sunday June 24
Sports day
Pearson Park off Beverley Road.
12 noon to 5pm
Features a football tournament, table tennis and volley ball.

Know the facts

• There are an estimated 4,000 refugees in Hull, mostly from Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and The Democratic Republic of Congo.

• A refugee is someone who has proved that they need protection under international law, and the Government has recognised this by granting them 'refugee' status in Britain.

• There are also approximately 480 asylum seekers in the city. An asylum seeker is different to a refugee in that the Government has yet to make a decision on their case.

• Famous refugees who fled to Britain include Karl Marx (political revolutionary from Germany), Vladimir Ilyich Lenin (political revolutionary from Russia), Emporer Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, and Victor Hugo (writer from France).