REFUGEE WEEK MALTA

Refugee Week is the largest global arts and culture festival celebrating the creativity, contributions, and resilience of people seeking sanctuary. Originating in the UK in 1998 and coinciding with World Refugee Day on June 20th, this initiative fosters connections and understanding beyond labels, highlighting the challenges faced by displaced individuals and shedding light on their stories through artistic and cultural activities.

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Refugee Week Malta (RWM) is a local extension of this global celebration, launched in 2022. The festival has quickly become an annual highlight, embracing a diverse programme of arts and cultural activities that celebrate the creativity and resilience of Malta’s refugee and asylum-seeking communities. RWM operates through three core action pillars:

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1. Create: This pillar focuses on establishing artistic spaces that highlight themes of displacement and raise awareness about the realities faced by people seeking asylum. RWM provides a platform for artists with refugee backgrounds to present their work and collaborate with performing arts initiatives and organizations dedicated to or by refugees. By fostering creativity and innovation, this pillar aims to bring new artistic expressions and solutions to the forefront.

2. Connect: RWM emphasizes the importance of community-based activities that celebrate cultural practices and traditions. This pillar seeks to unite individuals from various backgrounds, including locals and asylum seekers, creating opportunities for meaningful interaction and integration. By focusing on social spaces and communal engagement, RWM aims to bridge gaps and build connections among diverse communities.

3. Cultivate: Through artistic activism, RWM aims to foster understanding, care, and empathy. This pillar involves activities designed to challenge perceptions and provide accurate, relevant information in an accessible manner. By targeting diverse audiences through various platforms, including social media and public events, RWM seeks to inspire new perspectives and promote ongoing intercultural dialogue.

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Through a network of collaboration and the ongoing involvement of artists, organizations, and participants, RWM aims to continually inspire and foster integration. The festival’s integrated approach ensures that each year’s event builds on previous successes, creating a lasting impact and reinforcing the value of collective effort and creativity to celebrate the diversity in Malta.