Press Releases

Refugee Week in Wales launches at Waterfront

An exciting mix of music, dancing and crafts will be taking to the stage at the National Waterfront Museum this weekend (Saturday 12 June, 12-4.30pm) to mark Refugee Week 2010.

Refugee Week (14-20 June) is a unique platform where different communities and sections of society can come together to offer new and creative ways of understanding the refugee experience and celebrate cultural difference.

For centuries, refugees have contributed widely to the development of Wales with new skills and trades. In the 1300s, Flemish and French introduced weaving techniques and it was a French civil engineer's son, Isambard Kingdom Brunel who designed Landore Bridge. Brunel's other engineering achievements all had a huge impact on Wales and England's industrial landscape and railway networks.

This is the second year running for the Museum to host the official launch event in Wales. Organiser and Community Learning Officer at the Museum, Sue James said: “We’re delighted to once again host the launch, we had such great feedback from last year, lots of people from all walks of life came along to join in the celebrations and we hope it’ll be the same again this year.”

Performances lined up for Saturday include a traditional Welsh folk music band as well as tunes by Iranian and Kurdistan groups. Headlining will be 2 Rude - a seven piece ska tribute band from Newport and Samba Tawe will lead a colourful parade throughout the city’s streets from Oxford Street to the Museum’s green.

There will also be awareness stalls including the Welsh Refugee Council, African Community Centre, British Red Cross and the Sandsfields Past & Present - a community project which delves into the area’s fascinating history. A special exhibition by Pentrehafod Community School will be on display which explores Swansea’s copper industry and the communities that now live there as a result.

Inside the Museum, an amateur dramatic group will perform a play in the Warehouse Gallery between 3 and 4pm about the challenges refugees face, and there will be plenty to keep children entertained with activities such as circus skills, arts and crafts and giant garden games. A crèche will be available.

Speaking about the forthcoming event, Hawar Ameen, Coordinator of Refugee Week in Wales said: “This launch event is a great platform for us to deliver positive, educational messages that counter fear, ignorance and negative stereotypes of refugees. We hope it will unite different cultures and bring people from around the world together.”

ENDS

For more information about Refugee Week in Wales, visit http://www.refugeeweek.org.uk/InYourArea/Wales

Admission to Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales sites is free thanks to the support of the Welsh Assembly Government.

Amgueddfa Cymru operates seven national museums across Wales.

• National Museum Cardiff

• St Fagans: National History Museum

• National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon

• Big Pit: National Coal Museum

• National Wool Museum, Dre-fach

• National Slate Museum, Llanberis

• National Waterfront Museum, Swansea