Refugee Festival Scotland gets underway today, Friday 13 June, kick-starting nine days of dance performances, film screenings, visual art and photography exhibitions and community events across the country.
The festival’s first day sees the official opening of a collaborative new exhibition, LIVE IN ART, at the CCA in Glasgow, showcasing the contemporary art work of displaced artists from Ukraine, Iran, Vietnam, Colombia, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The event is one of more than 150 running from today until 22 June involving artists and performers from 30 countries, as the festival marks its milestone 25th year of celebrating resilience, diversity and creativity.
The festival’s 2025 theme, Milestones, encourages participants and audiences to reflect on the decades of cultural contributions, achievements and challenges overcome by refugees and migrants. It comes as Scottish Refugee Council reaches its own milestone 40th anniversary.
For the next ten days, venues, arts centres, community spaces and stages across Scotland will be filled with the vibrant, moving and invaluable art and expression of New Scots voices.
Artist Syeda Sadaf Zaidi, who has curated the opening exhibition, LIVE IN ART, said: “LIVE IN ART is vibrant, diverse, and deeply personal. It brings together painting, sculpture, textiles, installation, and mixed media, each piece a reflection of the artist’s unique journey and voice. LIVE IN ART has been one of the most meaningful projects I’ve ever worked on. It is not just an exhibition of works, it’s people making space for each other, often for the first time. Festivals like this can open doors, especially for those of us usually shut out of the art world. So I’m showing up not just as an artist, but as someone rooting for others like me. I hope this Festival can be a place of visibility, celebration, and radical possibility.”
Refugee Festival Scotland Manager, Mónica Laiseca said: “Refugee Festival Scotland is not just a celebration of art, but a space where connections are formed, stories are shared, and voices are uplifted. Over the next ten days, there are hundreds of opportunities to experience everything from groundbreaking art exhibitions and world-first film screenings to family fun days and unique culinary experiences. I would like to thank all the artists and partners we have worked with to bring our 2025 festival to life for their incredible contributions and would encourage audiences across Scotland to join in the celebrations and discover something new.”
Scottish Refugee Council Chief Executive, Sabir Zazai said: “Reaching the 25th year of Refugee Festival Scotland is a moment of pride and reflection. This milestone is not just a testament to the power of creativity but also to the resilience, strength, and contributions of refugees and migrants who continue to enrich Scotland. The theme of ‘Milestones’ encourages us to recognise the incredible journeys, achievements, and challenges faced by New Scots over the decades. It also coincides with the Scottish Refugee Council’s 40th anniversary, marking four decades of standing in solidarity with those seeking safety and belonging. Art and culture have a unique way of bridging divides and fostering understanding, and this festival is a celebration of what we can achieve when we create and connect as one community. I invite everyone to join this powerful celebration of humanity, diversity and hope.”
Other highlights across the festival programme include the premiere of Bircan Birol’s empowering new film exploring versions of Glasgow through the unique experiences of four inspiring immigrants, Fragments of Gurbet, also at the CCA tonight. Inverness’ Eden Court will also host a special film event – the Building Solidarity & Kinship film screening will showcase a series of moving short films celebrating diversity and human connection, while Refugee Festival Scotland, in partnership with the RSNO, will stage music from Yemeni singer, songwriter and producerIntibintin Anderson on Sunday 15 June.
Africa Délice’s A Taste of Home cookery event in Glasgow will give people a chance to explore culture through food, while Perth’s A K Bell Library will host the launch of a special micro-exhibition and publication, To Gather, which facilitated by artist Saffa Khan showcases the clay creations of refugees and asylum seekers across Helensburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Dumfries and Arbroath.
Over the last year, Scottish Refugee Council has helped more than 7000 people from 113 different nationalities to settle in Scotland and rebuild their lives here in peace and safety.
Refugee Festival Scotland is produced by Scottish Refugee Council and runs across Scotland until Sunday 22 June. Full programme details are now online:refugeefestivalscotland.co.uk.
