World Refugee Day
DE LA WARR PAVILION X THE REFUGEE BUDDY PROJECT
On the 20th of June, the Peter Marlow Foundation joined the Refugee Buddy Project and partner organisations to mark World Refugee Day with a day of activities at the De La Warr Pavilion (DLWP) in Bexhill. Centred on the theme of Courage, the event celebrated resilience, creativity and community, bringing people together through a programme of art, workshops, food and live music.
Throughout the day, the Young Creatives Collective (YCC) hosted a series of free creative workshops. The YCC is a long-term mentoring programme that supports young people from asylum-seeking, refugee, migrant and diaspora backgrounds, providing opportunities to explore their creativity while developing their educational, creative and career aspirations.
On the 20th of June, the Peter Marlow Foundation joined the Refugee Buddy Project and partner organisations to mark World Refugee Day with a day of activities at the De La Warr Pavilion (DLWP) in Bexhill. Centred on the theme of Courage, the event celebrated resilience, creativity and community, bringing people together through a programme of art, workshops, food and live music.
Throughout the day, the Young Creatives Collective (YCC) hosted a series of free creative workshops. The YCC is a long-term mentoring programme that supports young people from asylum-seeking, refugee, migrant and diaspora backgrounds, providing opportunities to explore their creativity while developing their educational, creative and career aspirations.
Workshops included a collaborative collage session led by local artist Fatima El Khaldi, exploring the theme of Courage, while designer and artist Julia García López invited participants to create their own traditional Guatemalan worry dolls. Visitors could also decorate and plant seed pots with photographer and creative Alina Khrebtova, make animal-inspired "Djurkin" masks with costume designer Cai Ashara, and receive henna artwork from multidisciplinary artist Marwah Bencaid while learning about the cultural traditions behind the practice.
Stitch for Change, an exhibition by the Refugee Buddy Project, was also on display at the event. The Refugee Buddy Project is a refugee and migrant-led charity supporting local communities and offering friendship to people seeking refuge and safety across Hastings, Rother and Wealden. Now in its fifth year, the exhibition shares stories of resilience, survival and belonging through the collective and restorative processes of textile-making and storytelling, bringing together local and refugee communities to exchange experiences.
Stitch for Change, an exhibition by the Refugee Buddy Project, was also on display at the event. The Refugee Buddy Project is a refugee and migrant-led charity supporting local communities and offering friendship to people seeking refuge and safety across Hastings, Rother and Wealden. Now in its fifth year, the exhibition shares stories of resilience, survival and belonging through the collective and restorative processes of textile-making and storytelling, bringing together local and refugee communities to exchange experiences.
Visitors also enjoyed DLWP’s Recipe for Courage in the cafe and listened to live music on the terrace from Sam Brown, The Naulettes Community Choir, Elisha Edwards and YYPPFDS (Yeah Yeah Party Party Freedom Drummers).
The YCC is a collaboration between the De La Warr Pavilion, the Refugee Buddy Project, the Peter Marlow Foundation, Talent Accelerator and Flatland Projects. This year's programme has been supported by the University of Brighton and East Sussex County Council.
The YCC is a collaboration between the De La Warr Pavilion, the Refugee Buddy Project, the Peter Marlow Foundation, Talent Accelerator and Flatland Projects. This year's programme has been supported by the University of Brighton and East Sussex County Council.
