London's Refugee Week 2009 kicks off in style on Southbank today with the fantastic free Celebrating Sanctuary festival showcasing the work of refugee artists from 2-7pm in Bernie Spain Gardens. The exciting event, now in it's 10th year, will be showcasing music, dance, literature and food - in celebration of refugee talent in London.
Hosted by BBC London 94.9 FM DJ Ritu, three stages will feature, amongst others, the wild Serbian Roma Indie Rockers KAL, prejudice busting UK female Muslim Hip Hop act Poetic Pilgrimage and Book Slam, London's most cerebrally sexy club night, featuring cutting edge literature and acoustic music presented by award winning novelist Patrick Neate.
There will also be lots of grass roots talent on show with many young dance troupes and the singing pupils from Charles Dickens school (the local primary) who join forces with Bosnian singer Tea Hodzic and her trio.
Tempting you in will be delicious world food stalls lining Southbank, and if your'e taking the kids down, there's activities, workshops and information stalls too. Just a glimpse of the many great London Refugee Week events to come this week in support and celebration of refugee communities in our city - London's great heritage of welcoming them. Head down to one, or get involved online with the Simple Acts Campaign, inspiring individuals to use small, everyday actions to learn more about refugees and interact with them. You can follow the week's events on twitter too.
