Local refugee groups will be making a colourful song and dance in a multi-cultural event in Hammersmith next week.

The event, on the afternoon and evening of June 22^nd, is the local contribution to the annual Refugee Week, a nationwide celebration of diversity and different cultures. The local event will take place at the Irish Centre, Hammersmith, from 5pm to 8.30pm.

The celebration will feature traditional songs and music from a range of cultures, international cuisine will also be on offer and many of the local refugee groups in the borough will have stalls with information about their varied activities such as providing advice on employment, education and training as well as showing examples of traditional crafts. There will be contributions from Bosnia, Kurdistan, Iraq and Iran as well as Somalia and Sudan .Other local organisations who work with the refugee sector will also be on hand with details of their services.

These include the Refugee Council, the Evelyn Oldfield Unit, Standing Together Against Domestic Violence, and Opportunity for All (an HIV/AIDS charity). 

Hammersmith MP Andy Slaughter is hoping to attend and present achievement certificates to refugee group volunteers nominated by their respective organizations.

Co-ordinator of Hammersmith and Fulham Refugee Forum Emad Al-Hamadani said: “Refugee Week is an opportunity to celebrate the contribution of refugees to the UK, and encourages a better understanding between communities. We hope this event in Hammersmith will contribute to that improvement in understanding and we welcome anyone who is interested in the local refugee community organisations and their work to drop in to the event. ”