Refugee Festival Scotland

Refugee Festival Scotland
Name	Refugee Festival Scotland
Location	Scotland
Years active	2013–present
Founded	2013
Founders	Scottish Refugee Council
Dates	May/June (annual)
Genre	Arts, culture, community

Refugee Festival Scotland Refugee Festival Scotland is an annual arts and cultural festival held across Scotland that showcases the creative contributions of people with lived experience of displacement and asylum. The festival brings together artists, activists, charities, local authorities and cultural institutions to present theatre, music, visual art and community events that intersect with migration, human rights and social inclusion. It works with a wide network of partners to stage collaborative programmes in cities and rural areas, highlighting heritage, contemporary practice and advocacy.

Overview

The festival curates participatory programmes linking institutions such as the Scottish Refugee Council, Glasgow Life, Creative Scotland, National Library of Scotland, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Tramway (Glasgow), Theatre Royal (Glasgow), Citizens Advice Scotland, and BBC Scotland with community organisations including Refuweegee, Positive Action in Housing, Salamander Trust, Red Cross (British Red Cross), and Oxfam. Events have been staged in venues such as Scottish National Gallery, Glasgow Cathedral, Usher Hall, St Cecilia's Hall, CICA (Centre for Contemporary Arts), and public spaces like George Square and Princes Street Gardens. The festival often features collaborations with artists associated with National Theatre of Scotland, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Scottish Opera, Edinburgh International Festival, RSNO (Royal Scottish National Orchestra), and community projects supported by The Big Lottery Fund, Heritage Lottery Fund, and local councils such as Glasgow City Council and Edinburgh City Council.

History

Founded in 2013 by the Scottish Refugee Council in partnership with cultural organisations including Creative Scotland and local authorities, the festival emerged amid civic responses to international crises such as the Syrian Civil War, European migrant crisis, and ongoing migration from regions affected by the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021), Iraq War, and Darfur conflict. Early editions connected with programs run by Refugee Council (UK), Help Refugees, and city-based networks like Glasgow Asylum Seeker and Refugee Support (GASRS). Over time it expanded to include collaborations with academic institutions such as University of Edinburgh, University of Glasgow, University of St Andrews, University of Aberdeen, Queen Margaret University, and research centres including Scottish Centre for Diaspora Studies and Migration Policy Centre. The festival’s development paralleled policy debates involving legislation like the Immigration Act 2016 and public inquiries such as those overseen by Home Office (United Kingdom Home Office) bodies, prompting civic arts responses across Scotland.

Activities and Events

Programming typically includes theatre productions, music concerts, film screenings, visual arts exhibitions, spoken word, workshops, culinary events and panel discussions. Past participants have included companies and creators associated with National Theatre of Scotland, directors who worked with Royal Court Theatre, musicians who performed at Celtic Connections, poets linked to Scottish Poetry Library, and filmmakers connected to Edinburgh International Film Festival. Community workshops have been run in collaboration with organisations such as Migrant Help, Shelter Scotland, Citizen Theatre, The Arches (Glasgow), The Space (Arts Centre), and local libraries coordinated by Libraries Scotland. The festival integrates outreach via networks like Voluntary Action Scotland, Third Sector Interface, and diaspora organisations such as Pakistani-Scottish Community, Polish Cultural Association, Somali Community Association, Syrian Community in Scotland, and Afghan Association Scotland.

Organisers and Partners

Core organising bodies include the Scottish Refugee Council, Creative Scotland, and municipal partners including Glasgow City Council and Edinburgh City Council. Delivery partners have included Refuweegee, Positive Action in Housing, British Red Cross, Citizens Advice Scotland, Healthcare Improvement Scotland, Community Renewal Trust, and arts organisations such as Civic Arts Centre, Theatre Workshop, Dance Base, Filmhouse, and Scottish Storytelling Centre. Festival support networks encompass funders and trusts like The Big Lottery Fund, Heritage Lottery Fund, Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, Scottish Churches Housing Action (SCHA), Paul Hamlyn Foundation, and academic partners including Glasgow School of Art and Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

Impact and Reception

Festival activities have been cited in reports by organisations including the Scottish Refugee Council, UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees), European Council on Refugees and Exiles, and think tanks such as Institute for Public Policy Research, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, and Migration Exchange. Coverage in media outlets like The Scotsman, The Herald (Glasgow), The National (Scotland), The Guardian, The Independent, and The Times has highlighted successful community integration projects, artistic commissions, and advocacy campaigns. Evaluations reference partnerships with universities including University of Strathclyde and Glasgow Caledonian University and community impact measured by organisations like Scottish Refugee Council and Volunteer Development Scotland.

Funding and Governance

Funding streams have included grants from Creative Scotland, awards from Heritage Lottery Fund, trusts such as Paul Hamlyn Foundation, corporate sponsorships, and local authority budgets from Glasgow City Council and Edinburgh City Council. Governance arrangements involve steering groups with representatives from the Scottish Refugee Council, local councils, cultural institutions such as National Galleries of Scotland, and partner NGOs including British Red Cross and Oxfam. The festival’s governance interacts with regulatory frameworks overseen by bodies such as OSCR (Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator) and funding guidance from Arts Council England for cross-border collaborations.

Media Coverage and Notable Projects

Notable projects include community theatre commissions staged with National Theatre of Scotland and film programmes screened at Edinburgh International Film Festival, collaborative exhibitions at Scottish National Gallery, and music events linked to Celtic Connections and Edinburgh Jazz Festival. Media coverage has appeared on platforms including BBC Scotland, STV News, The Herald (Glasgow), The Scotsman, The Guardian, and specialist outlets such as ArtsProfessional and The List (magazine). High-profile partners and artists who have participated or supported the festival network include those affiliated with Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Scottish Ballet, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and community cultural projects documented by Commonwealth Foundation reports.

Category:Festivals in Scotland