Refugee Festival Scotland is back for its fifteenth year, with a packed programme of events across Edinburgh

Refugee Festival Scotland is back for its fifteenth year and runs from 3 to 21 June, with a packed programme of events across Edinburgh.

From art to theatre there is something for everyone to get involved with and learn more about life for refugees in Scotland.

The festival began in 2000 and with a one day event in Glasgow.

It has now rapidly expanded to involve communities all across Scotland and includes a wide range of events.

This year’s festival theme is “celebrate” and it offers an opportunity to join in, celebrate and support the diversity and the contribution refugees make to Scotland’s cultural life – the food and drink, music and poetry, dance, visual art, language and ideas that refugees bring with them when they begin new lives in Scotland.

The events reflect upon the positive variety these contributions make to the community’s we live in.

Refugees become our friends, colleagues and neighbours and make Scotland a richer and more vibrant place to live

Scottish Refugee Council’s arts officer Suzi Maciver said: “Most refugees arrive in Scotland with little more than the clothes on their backs and the stories and memories in their hearts.

“In fleeing for their lives, people leave behind their homes, jobs and loved ones. But people don’t come here with nothing. They bring skills and talents, songs, stories, recipes and so much more.

“They become our friends, colleagues and neighbours and make Scotland a richer and more vibrant place to live.”

“We are proud that Scotland provides a place of safety to men, women and children fleeing terrible situations around the world and think this is something worth celebrating.”

The full programme is available online.