"Home": A Celebration of Refugee Week at Deal Pier

                            

On June 22, 2024, Deal Pier came alive with a vibrant and colorful festival celebrating Refugee Week. Organized by Seeking Sanctuary and Electronica band Ooberfuse, the event aimed to raise awareness about migrants near our shores and provide humanitarian aid to those in Calais.

Seeking Sanctuary are a Kent-based organization dedicated to promoting awareness of the challenges faced by migrants and asylum seekers in Calais and beyond. Their mission includes offering humanitarian assistance to migrants stranded in Calais.

The festival showcased performances by former asylum seekers, including a professional dancer from North Korea and a singer from Cameroon.

The event was emceed by Mr. Wilson Chowdhry (50 yrs), Chairman of United by Faith, with his daughter Willow Chowdhry (13 yrs) representing the British Asian Christian Association. Willow shared insightful information on the ten largest global refugee crises as of 2024.

Willow opened the event by reading out the theme for this years Asylum week.

Willow Chowdhry opened the festival by reading out the theme for this year's Refugee Week, which is "Home." This theme underscores the importance of a safe and welcoming place for refugees and asylum seekers, highlighting the universal need for belonging and security. The event, rich in cultural performances and moving speeches, aimed to foster understanding and solidarity with refugees around the world.

Mr. Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of United by Faith, served as the master of ceremonies. He introduced the various acts and shared insightful information about the history of Refugee Week, as well as the ongoing plight of millions of asylum seekers and refugees worldwide. His addresses aimed to raise awareness and foster empathy and support for those displaced by conflict and persecution.

The event then commenced with a performance by the remarkable human rights activist performer,  Audrey Byeon, an artist and dancer who escaped from North Korea.  Eighteen years ago, Ms. Audrey Byeon entered the UK as a refugee. Today, she has established herself as a successful professional dancer and runs her own dance company named Dance On. Her journey from a refugee to a prominent figure in the dance community exemplifies her resilience and dedication to her art. At the festival celebrating Refugee Week, Ms. Byeon performed a dance that fused traditional North Korean folk elements with modern dance, aiming to create connections between people and cultures.  Ms. Byeon shared what participating in the event meant to her, saying:

"First of all, it is important to urgently address the issue of modern-day child labor. Despite North Korea joining the International Declaration of Human Rights of the Child, children are still forced into labor and denied basic freedoms and academic support. 

"The situation for children and adolescents in North Korea is dire, with strict surveillance and limited rights. Many children, wandering in search of their parents, are not recognized as refugees in China and are forcibly repatriated to North Korea, where they face imprisonment.

"It is my hope that these children will be recognized as refugees in China to prevent forced repatriation. Since defecting through Russia is not possible and direct escape to South Korea is unfeasible due to hostilities, China should at least allow North Korean defectors and children born to Chinese parents to receive ID cards. I wish for increased awareness and action for these children. 

"Through this performance, my children and mother are proud of me, which boosts their self-esteem. However, I feel sorry for the North Korean defectors who are still being chased out of China and losing their families."

Ms Byeon, hopes one day to establish a charity that  refugee charity group for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault

At the festival celebrating Refugee Week, Ooberfuse performed a mix of their original songs along with timeless classics, including a rendition of "True Colours" by Cyndi Lauper. Their performance emphasized their commitment to using music as a bridge between different cultures and generations, resonating deeply with the audience and highlighting the universal themes of hope and unity​. Ooberfuse, an electropop band from London, was formed in 2009 by Cherrie Anderson and Hal St John. Their music uniquely blends Western and Eastern influences and often incorporates their Christian faith into the lyrics. Known for their emotional and powerful songs, Ooberfuse describes their sound as "audio footprints left behind by people impelled towards invisible things"​

Mr St John, said:  "We wanted to continue highlighting the hidden plight of those fleeing violence and persecution in their homelands by seeking a safe refuge in cities towns and villages of the UK.

"Our event is a riposte to politically motivated hate campaigns against migrants and refugees. 

"People seeking sanctuary here have a voice that if we can still the roar of screaming political fury just for a moment, to listen, will break our hearts and radically transform our outlook on the refugee issue. 

"The statistics tell us nothing about the terrible suffering and intimate feelings of those who literally put their lives on the line for the chance of a better life."

Ooberfuse at the Refugee Week concert

Another performer at the festival was Abdel Tchatchet, a Cameroonian singer who also has a background as a refugee. His rendition of "Lean on Me" was both moving and heartfelt, resonating deeply with the audience. Tchatchet's powerful performance underscored themes of support and solidarity, making it a highlight of the event celebrating Refugee Week. His journey from being a refugee to a celebrated performer added a profound layer of authenticity and emotion to his music, embodying the festival's spirit of resilience and hope.

Abdel Tchatchet at the refugee week event.

At the event's conclusion, Mr. Chowdhry remarked:

"In 2022 alone, over 1.5 million asylum applications were submitted globally, underscoring the profound challenges faced by refugees and asylum seekers worldwide. Currently, more than 26 million people have fled their countries as refugees, seeking safety and protection from persecution and conflict. Behind these staggering numbers are individuals and families enduring unimaginable hardships and displacement."

"Amidst these complexities, it's crucial to remember that behind every statistic lies a human story of resilience, courage, and hope. As we reflect on the significant numbers and diverse backgrounds of those seeking refuge, let us also recognize their contributions, potential, and the importance of fostering compassion and solidarity in our communities."

"There are tangible ways we can make a difference. Supporting humanitarian organizations that provide essential aid and services to refugees, advocating for inclusive policies that uphold human rights, and fostering understanding and empathy in our communities are crucial steps toward creating a more compassionate world. Together, we can strive for a future where everyone can live in safety and dignity, regardless of their circumstances."

Theme for This Year's Refugee Week:

“To me, a home is where you feel loved, safe, and cherished.”- Malala Yousafzai

The theme for Refugee Week 2024 is “Our Home”. From the places we gather to share meals to our collective home, planet earth: everyone is invited to celebrate what our Our Home means to them.

Home can be a place of refuge, a feeling or a state of mind. It can be found in smells, tastes and sounds. From the clothes we wear to the words we grew up with. It’s in food, music and arts. It’s in our cultures and in our landscapes.

Home can be more than one place and finding it can be a journey, as it is for so many of us who have to leave our countries and rebuild our lives. Sometimes we can find home in a single person. Other times it’s in a whole community. And often, it’s in a single gesture of care and welcome.

What would happen if this Refugee Week we extended our warmth and hospitality beyond our own homes and made entire neighbourhoods more welcoming? Simple acts like having a chat, walking together, or sending a message of welcome can help everyone feel like they belong. Together, we can work in solidarity to ensure all our neighbours, new and familiar, have safe and welcoming homes.

Our home is also global. We are interconnected; we share the earth’s resources, climate and its challenges. As we speak, millions of people are being displaced from their homes because of the climate crisis. But, exchanging knowledge, both new and traditional, can help us in practical ways to build hope for the future.

Together, this Refugee Week let’s practice our solidarity and make Our Home a more welcoming, safe and sustainable place for all.