Celebrating Sanctuary: Conversations with refugee artists in the UK
London Arts is publishing 'Celebrating Sanctuary', a collection of conversations with London-based refugee artists. Publication of the book coincides with Refugee Week(17-23 June), the national celebration of the contribution that refugees and asylum seekers make to multi-cultural Britain.
Celebrating Sanctuary
Conversations with refugee artists in the UK
London Arts is publishing 'Celebrating Sanctuary', a collection of conversations with London-based refugee artists. Publication of the book coincides with Refugee Week (17-23 June), the national celebration of the contribution that refugees and asylum seekers make to multi-cultural Britain.
The book, 'Celebrating Sanctuary', was commissioned by London Arts to record the experiences of musicians performing in 'Celebrating Sanctuary' - the headline event of Refugee Week, to be held this year on the South Bank on 16 June. The artists' stories reflect their home experiences, their journeys to and settlement in the UK, and their eventual fulfilment as practising musicians in London. The interviews were conducted by the writer and promoter, Max Reinhardt, and are complemented by an essay by the writer and journalist, Yasmin Alibhai-Brown.
As part of the Refugee Arts Initiative established by London Arts in 1999, 'Celebrating Sanctuary' is seen as an important contribution to raising a positive profile for refugee settlement in the UK. It is hoped that its publication will help to generate wider debate amongst policy makers and opinion formers.
'Celebrating Sanctuary' is launched at a reception at London Arts on 12 June. The launch is built around a panel discussion led by the broadcaster, Anna Umbima, with contributions from Yasmin Alibhai-Brown; the writer and comedian, Jeremy Hardy; Fazil Kawani from the Refugee Council; and Jennette Arnold from the GLA Assembly. The discussion is interspersed with performances by some of the musicians who contributed their stories to the book.
LAUNCH DETAILS: London Arts will be holding an evening of wine, music and debate will mark the publication of Celebrating Sanctuary, on June 12 from 6.30pm-8.30pm.
For further information, or to request an invitation to the launch or review copy of 'Celebrating Sanctuary', please contact Catriona Macrae-Gibson on 020 7608 6147 or by email to [email protected].