Refugee Week 2010 REVIEWS

REFUGEE WEEK 2010

What a great Refugee Week!

With a week-long programme of varied events there was something for everyone, and feedback from all of these has been extremely positive. We also raised more than £500 during the week

Huge thanks to all those who created, organised and participated in each event, especially all you volunteers!

A reminder of our events can be found by downloading our programme flyer here

Ali’s Awesome Art!

As the sun began to set on Exeter Picture House, a crowd of people were inside enjoying the exhibition of art designed by Ali Mousavi. The evening was very relaxed, with free food and drink provided by RSG, and people coming and going as they pleased. Leaflets were scattered around the tables, providing interesting statistics and mini-autobiographies for those who wanted to sit down.

The art itself was given a quick introduction speech by Ali. It consisted of photographs of various people, with their thoughts written as a frame, and some paintings which were hung around the room. Texts were also printed on the walls, telling the emotions many refugees experience. Throughout the evening a collection of music chosen by Ali was played. The music was from several different countries and of various styles. All in all, the theme of the exhibition, ‘Invisible People’, was wonderfully and uniquely captured.

A Feast of Nations

On June 15th at St. Sidwells Centre, the women’s Cultural Kitchen rose to the occasion: over fifty people were served from a total of fourteen dishes. Four different lamb dishes, samozas, pakoras and salami, three ways with chicken and vegetables the way vegetarians (and discerning omnivores) like them: classy, distinctive and full of character.

We were blessed by the high quality of the cooking: culinary experience and confidence was evident everywhere. These dishes had been made and appreciated over generations, the flavours were delicate, subtle and perfectly balanced.

The Women’s Cultural Kitchen at St. Sidwells must now be an established event in the Exeter Summer Calendar. A moment of merriment, gathering and pride when these cooks make a public appearance. For this writer, it’s a great loss not to be able to eat like this all the time.

P.S. Could they run classes?

Exeter’s Excellent Kick-Off to Refugee Week 2010

As the World Cup in South Africa was gripping everyone’s attention, Sunday 13th June saw Exeter host some very important matches too at another brilliant RSG Five-a-side Football Tournament! The hotly contested annual event held at King George V playing fields served as an excellent kick-off to Refugee Week 2010. The teams representing a diverse range of people included players who were: Afghan, English, Persian, Kurdish, Indian, Belgian, and from the Ivory Coast and Bengal.

Competitive spirit was matched by the spirit of community and, as anticipated, everyone enjoyed a day of first-class football. The ten teams that had their eyes on this year’s trophy (of the World-Cup!) were: Jawanan, Mayhand, Afghan London (whose arrival gave everyone a run for their money), Persia Proud, Open Space, Afghan Utd, No Mercy, Fast & Furious, Exeter Boyz, and Bengal.

Persia Proud and Afghan Utd won their respective groups. The teams that got knocked out in the quarter-finals were: Exeter Boyz, Bengal, Fast & Furious, and Jawanan. Speaking from the touchline, Rahulla Maitar and his friend Jamshid Haydari perfectly captured the spirit of the day by remarking ‘We always enjoy every RSG tournament’ & ‘This year it’s a great way to get in the world-cup spirit’.

In the semi-finals No Mercy beat Persia Proud 2-0 and Afghan Utd beat Mayhand on penalties after a 0-0 draw. So, after an outstanding tournament, it was Afghan United who faced No Mercy in the final. The showdown was first-rate and went to penalties after a 1-1 draw. Ultimately it was No Mercy who lifted the trophy for the 2010 RSG Five-a-side Football Tournament after winning 4-3! A big well done No Mercy. Team member Murphy commented ‘This is our fifth tournament, and we always enjoy the opportunity to get together and make new friends’.

FA Referees Duncan Underhill and Allan Wilson both agreed that it was a pleasure to referee such exemplary teams, with Duncan pointing out ‘The tournament has definitely been played in the right spirit’. Fran Jenkin, chair for RSG Exeter, asserted: ‘Again we have witnessed football as a universal language bringing people together from hugely diverse backgrounds, if only the world were a football pitch!’

Fair Play Award for the day went to Fast & Furious and special thanks went to organiser and player Kevin Hunter who has a pivotal role in arranging these tournaments which is logistically very challenging. As well as arranging teams, leagues, FA referees, and the venue, he played a terrific tournament making some great saves-particularly in the intense penalty shoot-outs. Additionally, special thanks also went to Exeter FC for supplying the goals, Devon FA for their support and funding, the Community Council of Devon, Colin Stiff for taking team photos, Annette and Mark for making sure the refreshments stall was well stocked, Tim Webster for being match photographer, and all the teams for taking part of course!

RSG Football Tournaments continue to flourish year on year, both organisers and players alike welcome everyone to come along and celebrate the beautiful game of football. We’re all looking forward to next year’s tournament.

Sounds of Freedom 2010: Opening a Wider Window on the World

Once again, the multicultural musical extravaganza better known as ‘The Sounds of Freedom’ returned to Exeter Library for Refugee Week 2010. And once more again, as the ever-vibrant event opened a wider window on the world, an expressive mixture of traditional music, singing, poetry, and stories were used to celebrate diversity and raise awareness of the lives of refugees.

After organiser Chukes’ welcome, Fran Jenkin, chair for Refugee Support Group Exeter (RSG), opened the evening with clarification that ‘The whole point of Refugee Week is to be celebratory about the very positive contribution refugees and asylum seekers make to the community’. To contextualise, she also explained that awareness needs to be raised because the relevant issues exist within a very negative backdrop of debate which is often ill-informed, contentious, and controversial. As an illustrative example of how refugees benefit the UK, Fran also made it known that one-third of refugees and asylum seekers are from professional backgrounds-a little known fact for many.

After the candid and revealing introduction, David Heathfield with Fadi-Al Naji from Palestine on the string instrument known as the ‘Oud’ launched the evening with some musical storytelling about a boy who unsuccessfully tries to conduct his life in a wolf-like fashion, later decides to act with the pride of lion, and ends up gaining enough respect to become ruler of his country. Afterwards, Fadi performed his song about humanity where he blended English and Arabic together to the chorus of ‘We’re all humans on earth no matter the place of birth’. To the smiling audience, David handed out tea-pods and tambourines so that people could provide some percussive participation.

A vibrant performance of World-Fusion by the four-piece group ‘Kooler’ was delivered with the message that ‘People sometimes have as much in common as they do differences’. Kooler just had time to play their song about moving on before they had to move on themselves to perform at Mama Stone’s. Transfixing Hindu singing was followed by poetry from Sanjit. Based on personal experience and called ‘Belonging’, her piece mixed tradition and the story of a difficult life-journey with the underlying theme of the line ‘I am all these things and none’. Sanjit was followed by the treat of some original beat-boxing.

During the interval, alongside the delicious nibbles & refreshments provided by the local Amnesty International Group and RSG, Exeter’s Kagemusha Taiko group wowed everyone with a thunderous performance in the lobby, with an emphasis on thunder!

Superb sounds, fine food, and excellent company were complemented by the perfect summer’s evening.

The second half of Sounds of freedom continued with a Gujarati poem by Ravi, who has lived in Exeter for some thirty years since his family was expelled from Uganda because of Idi Amin’s prejudice against non-Africans. Other acts for the evening included traditional Bulgarian singing, harmonic African singing by the four-member group ‘The Fallen Angels’. Energetic break-dancing by thirteen-year-old Wasim George followed, with Suaad acting as support dancer. A mesmerising sitar duet from Adam & Ricky was next, and beautiful singing from Leighe Needham accompanied by John on guitar who performed ‘Lucky Star’ and ‘Screaming with your Mouth Closed’ impressed us all.

The audience were thrilled and grateful in equal amounts for having had their eyes, ears, and minds opened by the fine array of talent which is a signature for Sounds of Freedom. We’re all left wondering what next year’s gathering holds in store. No doubt, it will continue in the tradition of putting smiles on faces. Can’t wait…

Speaker event from “write to life”

On Monday 14th June we saw two speakers; Steve and Jade, from the ‘Write to Life’ group, read some of their literary work. They are part of a group established by the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture that uses writing as a therapeutic means of dealing with their traumatic experiences. It was an inspiring and uplifting evening, with Steve telling his story of an encounter with a Home Office official on a bus and Jade entertaining us with her poignant yet comical poems. Whilst it was a moving experience, both speakers injected humour into their performances, making for a thoroughly enjoyable evening. A question and answer session following the readings provided the audience with a real insight into some of the experiences Steve and Jade encountered during their quest for asylum in the UK. Both were incredibly open and frank about some of the issues they encountered, positive and not so positive. It was a pleasure to be able to chat with them both informally after the session too and great that Jade was able to come along to the next evenings Exhibition Launch. Many thanks to Steve and Jade for sharing their lives with us.

Thanks also extend to Sheila Hayman, Write to Life Coordinator, and Kate and Andy Hannan from the Medical Foundation’s Devon group.

Gold-Dozi Craft Stall

The Gold Dozi stall at the Phoenix Art Centre on 14th June 2010 for Refugee Week attracted a large number of customers and admirers. The Afghan women ran the stall themselves, demonstrating their growing confidence, and between them took £116.

Running the stall, wherever, is an excellent opportunity to talk to the non converted about the RSG and to profile asylum seekers and refugees. For example one woman opened a conversation with hostility about Afghans but left saying, “Keep up the good work.” It is also a chance to recruit volunteers so besides the women getting a small income for their beautiful work the stall, as usual, was good publicity.


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Home About RSG Services Newsletters Publications Links & information Jobs Volunteering Donations Contact us Related topics	REFUGEE WEEK 2010 What a great Refugee Week! With a week-long programme of varied events there was something for everyone, and feedback from all of these has been extremely positive. We also raised more than £500 during the week Huge thanks to all those who created, organised and participated in each event, especially all you volunteers! A reminder of our events can be found by downloading our programme flyer here Ali’s Awesome Art! As the sun began to set on Exeter Picture House, a crowd of people were inside enjoying the exhibition of art designed by Ali Mousavi. The evening was very relaxed, with free food and drink provided by RSG, and people coming and going as they pleased. Leaflets were scattered around the tables, providing interesting statistics and mini-autobiographies for those who wanted to sit down. The art itself was given a quick introduction speech by Ali. It consisted of photographs of various people, with their thoughts written as a frame, and some paintings which were hung around the room. Texts were also printed on the walls, telling the emotions many refugees experience. Throughout the evening a collection of music chosen by Ali was played. The music was from several different countries and of various styles. All in all, the theme of the exhibition, ‘Invisible People’, was wonderfully and uniquely captured. A Feast of Nations On June 15th at St. Sidwells Centre, the women’s Cultural Kitchen rose to the occasion: over fifty people were served from a total of fourteen dishes. Four different lamb dishes, samozas, pakoras and salami, three ways with chicken and vegetables the way vegetarians (and discerning omnivores) like them: classy, distinctive and full of character. We were blessed by the high quality of the cooking: culinary experience and confidence was evident everywhere. These dishes had been made and appreciated over generations, the flavours were delicate, subtle and perfectly balanced. The Women’s Cultural Kitchen at St. Sidwells must now be an established event in the Exeter Summer Calendar. A moment of merriment, gathering and pride when these cooks make a public appearance. For this writer, it’s a great loss not to be able to eat like this all the time. P.S. Could they run classes? Exeter’s Excellent Kick-Off to Refugee Week 2010 As the World Cup in South Africa was gripping everyone’s attention, Sunday 13th June saw Exeter host some very important matches too at another brilliant RSG Five-a-side Football Tournament! The hotly contested annual event held at King George V playing fields served as an excellent kick-off to Refugee Week 2010. The teams representing a diverse range of people included players who were: Afghan, English, Persian, Kurdish, Indian, Belgian, and from the Ivory Coast and Bengal. Competitive spirit was matched by the spirit of community and, as anticipated, everyone enjoyed a day of first-class football. The ten teams that had their eyes on this year’s trophy (of the World-Cup!) were: Jawanan, Mayhand, Afghan London (whose arrival gave everyone a run for their money), Persia Proud, Open Space, Afghan Utd, No Mercy, Fast & Furious, Exeter Boyz, and Bengal. Persia Proud and Afghan Utd won their respective groups. The teams that got knocked out in the quarter-finals were: Exeter Boyz, Bengal, Fast & Furious, and Jawanan. Speaking from the touchline, Rahulla Maitar and his friend Jamshid Haydari perfectly captured the spirit of the day by remarking ‘We always enjoy every RSG tournament’ & ‘This year it’s a great way to get in the world-cup spirit’. In the semi-finals No Mercy beat Persia Proud 2-0 and Afghan Utd beat Mayhand on penalties after a 0-0 draw. So, after an outstanding tournament, it was Afghan United who faced No Mercy in the final. The showdown was first-rate and went to penalties after a 1-1 draw. Ultimately it was No Mercy who lifted the trophy for the 2010 RSG Five-a-side Football Tournament after winning 4-3! A big well done No Mercy. Team member Murphy commented ‘This is our fifth tournament, and we always enjoy the opportunity to get together and make new friends’. FA Referees Duncan Underhill and Allan Wilson both agreed that it was a pleasure to referee such exemplary teams, with Duncan pointing out ‘The tournament has definitely been played in the right spirit’. Fran Jenkin, chair for RSG Exeter, asserted: ‘Again we have witnessed football as a universal language bringing people together from hugely diverse backgrounds, if only the world were a football pitch!’ Fair Play Award for the day went to Fast & Furious and special thanks went to organiser and player Kevin Hunter who has a pivotal role in arranging these tournaments which is logistically very challenging. As well as arranging teams, leagues, FA referees, and the venue, he played a terrific tournament making some great saves-particularly in the intense penalty shoot-outs. Additionally, special thanks also went to Exeter FC for supplying the goals, Devon FA for their support and funding, the Community Council of Devon, Colin Stiff for taking team photos, Annette and Mark for making sure the refreshments stall was well stocked, Tim Webster for being match photographer, and all the teams for taking part of course! RSG Football Tournaments continue to flourish year on year, both organisers and players alike welcome everyone to come along and celebrate the beautiful game of football. We’re all looking forward to next year’s tournament. Sounds of Freedom 2010: Opening a Wider Window on the World Once again, the multicultural musical extravaganza better known as ‘The Sounds of Freedom’ returned to Exeter Library for Refugee Week 2010. And once more again, as the ever-vibrant event opened a wider window on the world, an expressive mixture of traditional music, singing, poetry, and stories were used to celebrate diversity and raise awareness of the lives of refugees. After organiser Chukes’ welcome, Fran Jenkin, chair for Refugee Support Group Exeter (RSG), opened the evening with clarification that ‘The whole point of Refugee Week is to be celebratory about the very positive contribution refugees and asylum seekers make to the community’. To contextualise, she also explained that awareness needs to be raised because the relevant issues exist within a very negative backdrop of debate which is often ill-informed, contentious, and controversial. As an illustrative example of how refugees benefit the UK, Fran also made it known that one-third of refugees and asylum seekers are from professional backgrounds-a little known fact for many. After the candid and revealing introduction, David Heathfield with Fadi-Al Naji from Palestine on the string instrument known as the ‘Oud’ launched the evening with some musical storytelling about a boy who unsuccessfully tries to conduct his life in a wolf-like fashion, later decides to act with the pride of lion, and ends up gaining enough respect to become ruler of his country. Afterwards, Fadi performed his song about humanity where he blended English and Arabic together to the chorus of ‘We’re all humans on earth no matter the place of birth’. To the smiling audience, David handed out tea-pods and tambourines so that people could provide some percussive participation. A vibrant performance of World-Fusion by the four-piece group ‘Kooler’ was delivered with the message that ‘People sometimes have as much in common as they do differences’. Kooler just had time to play their song about moving on before they had to move on themselves to perform at Mama Stone’s. Transfixing Hindu singing was followed by poetry from Sanjit. Based on personal experience and called ‘Belonging’, her piece mixed tradition and the story of a difficult life-journey with the underlying theme of the line ‘I am all these things and none’. Sanjit was followed by the treat of some original beat-boxing. During the interval, alongside the delicious nibbles & refreshments provided by the local Amnesty International Group and RSG, Exeter’s Kagemusha Taiko group wowed everyone with a thunderous performance in the lobby, with an emphasis on thunder! Superb sounds, fine food, and excellent company were complemented by the perfect summer’s evening. The second half of Sounds of freedom continued with a Gujarati poem by Ravi, who has lived in Exeter for some thirty years since his family was expelled from Uganda because of Idi Amin’s prejudice against non-Africans. Other acts for the evening included traditional Bulgarian singing, harmonic African singing by the four-member group ‘The Fallen Angels’. Energetic break-dancing by thirteen-year-old Wasim George followed, with Suaad acting as support dancer. A mesmerising sitar duet from Adam & Ricky was next, and beautiful singing from Leighe Needham accompanied by John on guitar who performed ‘Lucky Star’ and ‘Screaming with your Mouth Closed’ impressed us all. The audience were thrilled and grateful in equal amounts for having had their eyes, ears, and minds opened by the fine array of talent which is a signature for Sounds of Freedom. We’re all left wondering what next year’s gathering holds in store. No doubt, it will continue in the tradition of putting smiles on faces. Can’t wait… Speaker event from “write to life” On Monday 14th June we saw two speakers; Steve and Jade, from the ‘Write to Life’ group, read some of their literary work. They are part of a group established by the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture that uses writing as a therapeutic means of dealing with their traumatic experiences. It was an inspiring and uplifting evening, with Steve telling his story of an encounter with a Home Office official on a bus and Jade entertaining us with her poignant yet comical poems. Whilst it was a moving experience, both speakers injected humour into their performances, making for a thoroughly enjoyable evening. A question and answer session following the readings provided the audience with a real insight into some of the experiences Steve and Jade encountered during their quest for asylum in the UK. Both were incredibly open and frank about some of the issues they encountered, positive and not so positive. It was a pleasure to be able to chat with them both informally after the session too and great that Jade was able to come along to the next evenings Exhibition Launch. Many thanks to Steve and Jade for sharing their lives with us. Thanks also extend to Sheila Hayman, Write to Life Coordinator, and Kate and Andy Hannan from the Medical Foundation’s Devon group. Gold-Dozi Craft Stall The Gold Dozi stall at the Phoenix Art Centre on 14th June 2010 for Refugee Week attracted a large number of customers and admirers. The Afghan women ran the stall themselves, demonstrating their growing confidence, and between them took £116. Running the stall, wherever, is an excellent opportunity to talk to the non converted about the RSG and to profile asylum seekers and refugees. For example one woman opened a conversation with hostility about Afghans but left saying, “Keep up the good work.” It is also a chance to recruit volunteers so besides the women getting a small income for their beautiful work the stall, as usual, was good publicity.
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