16 - 22 Jun 2025
Refugee Week 2025
Community as a superpower.
A welcoming and inclusive programme of artworks, events and activities at The Beacon.
Refugee Week is the world’s largest arts and culture festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary. We were delighted to take part in its 2025 edition, titled Community as a superpower.
The centrepiece of Refugee Week 2025 in Bradford was What Will We Do Without Exile?, a new artwork created by UK-based Palestinian artist Basel Zaraa and commissioned alongside Counterpoints Arts with the support of Moomin Characters – one of four new UK artworks celebrating 80 years of the Moomins.
Alongside it, we presented a series of family activities in partnership with Stand & Be Counted, including Happy Baby!, free sensory play sessions for under-4s, and The Big Blue Bradford House, an invitation for young people and families to help create a Moomin-inspired cardboard house in Bowling Park. We also shared a Peace Picnic, enjoyed family activities at the free Intercultured Festival and followed one man’s journey from Syria to England in Penguin.
What's on
Dates between 31 May – 22 Jun 2025
Moomin 80: What Will We Do Without Exile?
Basel Zaraa
We explored a lush world within a refugee tent, through this immersive, multi-sensory installation.
19 – 22 Jun 2025
The Big Blue Bradford House
Stand and Be Counted
We joined Stand & Be Counted, the UK’s first theatre company of sanctuary, to mark Refugee Week and celebrate Moomins 80
20 Jun 2025
Happy Baby
Stand and Be Counted
Two special sessions of sensory play for under-4s and their grown-ups at The Beacon in Bowling Park.
20-21 Jun 2025
Penguin
Hamzeh Al Hussien & Amy Golding
One man’s extraordinary journey from Syria to England. “Be proud. Be who you are. Be more Penguin.”
The Refugee Week 2025 shop
Celebrate Refugee Week and show your support!
Get your official Refugee Week merch as well as wonderful products from the Anqa Collective, an online marketplace selling products from refugee-led businesses. Each purchase supports Refugee Week’s efforts in celebrating the creativity, contributions and resilience of refugees.
What Will We Do Without Exile? is commissioned by Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture and Counterpoints Arts with the support of Moomin Characters for Refugee Week 2025.
The Big Blue Bradford House and Happy Baby! are co-produced by Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture and Stand & Be Counted, the Associate Company of Welcome and Sanctuary.