You, Me and a Cup of Tea – Interfaith events during Refugee Festival Scotland

Refugee Festival Scotland is a festival for everyone and a great opportunity for faith communities in Scotland to celebrate the contributions of refugees and people seeking asylum, as well as the diversity and the cultural richness of our communities. One example of this are the events organised by interfaith groups across Scotland.

Patricia Findlay (Chairperson of Aberdeen Interfaith) and Constable Sarah Grant (Police Scotland) are currently planning a series of tea party events across the Grampian region during the Refugee Festival Scotland (16 – 25 June 2023), thanks to funding from Scottish Refugee Council.

“The theme of this year’s Refugee Festival Scotland is ‘HOPE’: What makes you hopeful for the future? What do you look forward to? What are your dreams for yourself, your family, your community? In difficult times, hope offers not only consolation and aspiration, but also a rousing call to action. At a time when people seeking safety in the UK are facing hostility and fear, Refugee Festival Scotland shines a bright and hopeful light on the cultural richness and diversity at the heart of our communities. We invite you to join this shared celebration and explore what hope may look or feel like. We’re looking for events that bring people from different backgrounds together and inspire hope through music, dance, film, theatre, visual art, poetry… and food, of course!”

Patricia and Sarah are the key organisers of events with faith communities in the North East of Scotland and are hosting them under the theme ‘You, Me and a Cup of Tea’. They are connecting with refugees and people seeking asylum in the North East of Scotland area, and local people of faith, to assist with the planning, organisation and running of one of these events in Aberdeen, Elgin, Ellon, Peterhead, Huntly and Daviot.

They are also looking for any local talent from within local communities who would like to showcase and share their talents on music, dance, story telling, art, poetry or baking during the event.

This will be a great opportunity to get involved with the local community and to meet some new friends.

Perhaps this is something you would like to consider doing in your own area?

If you would like to get involved or would like more information, please email either Sarah or Patricia who are happy to share our story so far. It is very exciting to see the positive response especially in these uncertain, worrying days for our friends seeking protection in Scotland.

For some guidelines from Refugee Festival Scotland please visit https://www.refugeefestivalscotland.co.uk/