Refugee Week Celebration – Art, Music & Food
Join us for a special Refugee Week celebration as part of Loom Lab, a creative project that has brought together Afghan and Syrian families over the past six months through artistic, cultural and community activities.
This family-friendly event offers an opportunity to share and celebrate some of the work, experiences and connections that have emerged through the project so far. Enjoy a community meal, explore exhibitions, and experience live musical performances that celebrate the richness of different cultures and traditions.
From 5:30pm, guests are invited to enjoy a community meal and explore an exhibition of artworks created by Afghan and Syrian women and children who have participated in Loom Lab over the past six months. The exhibition reflects themes of identity, belonging, home, creativity and community, offering a glimpse into the stories, experiences and relationships developed through the project.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to join a guided tour of a major group exhibition presented by Centrala. Bringing together video works by international artists, the exhibition explores contemporary experiences and perceptions of migration through personal stories, documentary approaches and artistic experimentation, offering thought-provoking perspectives on migration, identity, borders and belonging.
Programme
5:30pm – Doors Open
- Community meal
- Loom Lab participant exhibition open
- Guided tour of Centrala’s migration-themed exhibition
6:30pm – Live Performance by Zirak Hamad
Originally from Iraqi Kurdistan, Zirak Hamad has been living in the UK since 2002 and has spent more than two decades sharing traditional Middle Eastern music and dance through festivals, schools and community events across the UK.
Founder of Muzikstan and leader of the Daholl Kurdish Band, Zirak’s performance combines traditional and contemporary Kurdish and Middle Eastern music in a vibrant celebration of culture, rhythm and community.
7:30pm – Anori Duo: The Soul’s Awakening
Composer and pianist Anastasiia Kosishcheva and violinist Elena Bardetska present selected works from The Soul’s Awakening.
Inspired by nature, mythology, Japanese aesthetics and stories of hope and self-discovery, this intimate performance combines piano and violin to create an atmospheric musical journey full of imagination, emotion and beauty.
Everyone Welcome
Whether you are interested in art, music, culture, community, or simply spending time with others in a welcoming atmosphere, this event is for you.
✓ Community meal
✓ Live music performances
✓ Loom Lab participant exhibition
✓ Guided exhibition tour
✓ Family friendly
✓ Free admission
Join us as we celebrate creativity, cultural exchange, community and the connections that bring people together.
Places are limited, so please reserve your ticket in advance.
Event funded by Birmingham City Council.