More than thirty refugee community groups are opening their doors and taking part in the festival

Refugee Festival Scotland is back for its eighteenth year with a Scotland-wide programme of events designed to bring communities together.

The series of events celebrates the many ways refugees contribute to Scotland’s cultural life by showcasing the food and drink, music and dance, language and art that people bring with them when they seek safety in this country.

This year more than thirty refugee community groups are opening their doors and taking part in the festival.

From Syrian food to Congolese music and poetry, family events and fashion shows, these events show off the vibrancy and diversity of Scotland’s communities.

The festival runs from 15 June – 24 June and takes place in venues across the country.

The festival is particularly important this year, as it celebrates the welcome people in Scotland have offered to those who have fled violence and war in countries such as Syria, Eritrea and Afghanistan.

Scottish Refugee Council’s chief executive Sabir Zazai said: “Refugee Festival Scotland gives people from different backgrounds the chance to get to know each other better, to find out a little about each other’s cultures and to discover the things we have in common.

“This year we have events running across the country, from the Highlands to the Borders.

“The festival is a lot of fun and a chance to show that there is an alternative to the hostile environment that tries to divide people and set us against each other. Instead, our festival shows Scotland at its best, friendly, welcoming and full of colour and creativity.”

Full details of the festival programme are now online.