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PORTSMOUTH CELEBRATES REFUGEE WEEK WITH MUSIC, DANCE AND POETRY

Friday June 18th 2010

FILM screenings, poetry and music from around the world will be the highlight of Portsmouth's Refugee Week celebrations this Saturday (June 19th).

The Refugee Week day of fun and celebration at The Haven Community Centre will include a performance from a Zimbabwean singing group and a talk from a Congolese refugee, alongside plenty of activities for children.

Films produced by Refugee Action and the British Red Cross will be shown, along with a poetry reading from Tongues and Grooves and a prize will be presented to the winner of Refugee Action's poetry competition.

The Lord Mayor Cllr Paula Riches will be attending the event, which is supported by Refugee Action, the British Red Cross and Portsmouth City Council.

Mike Brown, area manager of Refugee Action in Portsmouth, said: "Refugee Week is all about bringing British people and refugees together, promoting understanding. Our event will give people opportunities to learn more about refugees, the countries they come from and their cultures, while enjoying entertainment such as music, poetry and art."

The free event will take place at the centre on Lake Road between 10am and 4pm.

ENDS

For more information or to organise photos please contact
Julia Ravenscroft, Press Officer at Refugee Action,
on 0161 831 5454 or 07771 748 159.

Notes to editors:

Refugee Action is an independent, national charity working to enable refugees to build new lives in the UK. We provide practical advice and assistance for newly arrived asylum seekers and support their settlement through community development work. As one of the country's leading agencies in the field, Refugee Action has 28 years' experience in pioneering innovative work in partnership with refugees and advised more than 40,000 asylum seekers and refugees last year. For more information, visit www.refugee-action.org.uk