Refugee Week Scotland, which launched on Monday, is even bigger this year, with a programme of more than 30 events to choose from. Most of the celebrations are taking place this weekend in the Glasgow area, where a majority of Scotland’s 10,000 refugees and asylum seekers live.
Running at the LUV Gallery in Govan until Sunday is the World Costumes Exhibition, a dazzling display of ethnic outfits, handmade by members of Govan’s diverse refugee community (angela@linthouseurbanvillage.com).
Free performances from Asian, African, Chinese and European groups feature at the International Music Festival in Mugdock Country Park, Milngavie on Saturday and Sunday, from 11am on the Courtyard Stage (www.mugdockmusicfestival.co.uk).
On Sunday, from 10am-5pm, schools from all over Glasgow will meet in Kelvingrove Park for “A League for All Fives Tournament” which mixes “local born and bred talent” with “international refugee superstars in the making” for fast and furious five-a-side football (anna.winters@scotland.gsi.gov.uk).
Kelvingrove Park will be heaving with people on Sunday, as the Asian festival, the annual Glasgow Mela, takes place with a programme of mainly free events including music, dance, children’s entertainment and workshops running from 12 noon-8pm (www.glasgowmela.com).
Also on Sunday, a new permanent exhibition on the history of the Jews in Scotland since the 17th century opens at the Scottish Jewish Archive Centre in Garnethill Synagogue, Glasgow (www.sjac.org.uk).
In Edinburgh, the annual “Amnesty Sleep Out,” organised to highlight the plight of destitute asylum seekers, takes place on Princes Street tonight from 9.30pm at the Church of St John the Evangelist (sinead@kiwismail.com).
www.scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk.
