Festival celebrates ‘incredible lives and cultures’ of refugee community
December 4, 2024
People from the refugee community in Leeds had the chance to celebrate, perform and educate at Deer Shed Festival in July, supported by Leeds City of Sanctuary, through funding from YDMT.
A group of 34 volunteers, many of whom have lived experience of fleeing war or persecution, set up a marquee at the festival, dedicated to art, music, story-telling and campaigning.
Among the activities was the Music and Stories of Migration, where audiences were invited to listen to the Leeds City of Sanctuary community about their experiences of seeking asylum in the UK.
The Sanctuary’s Got Talent music workshop featured singing, drumming and dancing to music from across the world.
Standing together to make change happen
Rosie Russell-Cohen (pictured below), our People and the Dales Project Officer, said:
“At YDMT, we believe that real change happens when we stand together. Our 16-year partnership with Leeds City of Sanctuary is a powerful statement against division and isolation, ensuring that those seeking sanctuary are not just welcomed, but actively included in our communities. Our joint visit to Deer Shed Festival was an incredible representation of this collaboration, where families from diverse backgrounds came together to share in the joy of nature, music and community, and celebrate our shared humanity. This event was a powerful reminder of how important it is to provide inclusive spaces where everyone feels a sense of belonging and connection.”
Messages of joy and hope
Hope Bachmann (pictured below), a postgraduate researcher who volunteers with Leeds City of Sanctuary, said: “Deer Shed Festival gave us the opportunity to celebrate the incredible lives, cultures and contributions our amazing collective has to offer.
“People shared their stories and spread awareness about the reality of living in Britain as a sanctuary seeker. The messages were harrowing, but many of them also contained joy and hope.”
People attending the festival could drop in for creative writing, poetry and arts workshops, as well as a kite making workshop representing freedom and hope in celebration of the Afghani tradition of kite flying using the techniques of legendary Yorkshire kite maker, Alan Poxton.
The Beginner’s Guide to Fighting the Anti-Refugee Laws workshop with Mary from Asylum Matters and Emma from Manuel Bravo introduced campaigning and how we can fight the anti-refugee laws and support refugees and people seeking asylum in our communities.
“Attending Deer Shed Festival didn’t just enable us to spread awareness, it provided us with an opportunity to build connections with existing and new members, to reach out and into the community and build our network,” Hope said.
Diversity in the Dales
Through our People and the DALES project we’re helping to tackle the barriers that prevent people from the refugee community, and other underserved communities, to access and enjoy nature here in the Yorkshire Dales, and make everyone feel welcome.
