BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Counterpoints - ECPv6.15.18//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Counterpoints REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:Europe/London BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST DTSTART:20240331T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20241027T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST DTSTART:20250330T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20251026T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST DTSTART:20260329T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20261025T010000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250523 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250602 DTSTAMP:20260430T135043 CREATED:20250121T121828Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250501T153317Z UID:10000473-1747958400-1748822399@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:Moomin 80 at Southbank Centre DESCRIPTION:“The Door is Always Open” \nJourney into the marvellous world of the Moomins and discover the famous sights of Moominvalley brought to life at Southbank Centre by the Woodland Tribe and their little helpers ahead of Refugee Week. \nVisit the Moominhouse with its collection of paintings and furniture that fill the house from floor to ceiling\, and take a trip to the Pier\, the Bridge and the Bathing House in a special Moomin staycation. \nWoodland Tribe go all over the UK promoting adventure play and child lead building. You may have seen their work at the Tate Modern\, Compton Verney Art Gallery or leading UK festivals like Glastonbury or Shambala. \nThis installation is co-commissioned and co-produced by Counterpoints Arts and the Southbank Centre\, made possible by the support of Moomin Characters Ltd. in celebration of 80 years since the publication of the first Moomin story. \nIt is one of our four public art commissions for Moomin 80 during Refugee Week. \nFeaturing: \n23 – 26 May: The Build (with invited young people)\n27 May – 1 June Moomin 80 Open House : Explore Woodland Tribe’s Moominhouse by the Thames\n27 May – 1 June Moomin 80 Play\, Make\, Dream :Children\, bring your parents\, carers\, grandparents and everyone in between to help out on this big build.\n28 – 30 May From Afghan Valleys to Moominvalley with Nabil Amin : Printmaking to help decorate the Moomin house\n1 June 12 noon\, Moomin 80: Everybody Is Welcome! : Music\, storytelling and a party fit for Moominvalley \nRead more about our collaboration with Moomin 80 for Refugee Week\, featuring four new public art commissions. URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/moomin-80-at-southbank-centre/ LOCATION:Riverside Terrace\, Southbank Centre\, London SE1 8XZ\, Southbank Centre\, London\, SE1 8XZ\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Community & Participation,Refugee Week ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Moomin-Blue-House.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250523T130000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250523T180000 DTSTAMP:20260430T135043 CREATED:20250423T141007Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250502T081037Z UID:10000491-1748005200-1748023200@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:Stitch and Care DESCRIPTION:This half day workshop (1-5pm) on Friday 23 rd May with artists Lynn Setterington & Jill Eastland and Oldham Library and is an afternoon of knowledge exchange around textiles\, displacement and mental health as part of Creativity and Wellbeing Week. \nIt takes place at the Fashion and Textile Museum in the studio where Lynn Setterington’s stitched cloths and quilts are currently on display. The session explores how libraries\, smaller museums\, and community organisations can engage audiences using creative outreach to improve and aid mental health. Using the 5 Ways to Wellbeing\, connect\, be active\, take notice\, keep learning & give\, the event is a partnership with Counterpoints Arts and the Fashion and Textile Museum\, London. \nPlease email tom@counterpoints.org.uk to reserve a free place. The event is open to all\, regardless of previous experience. \n1-1.10pm Welcome\n1.10 – 2.10pm Lynn Setterington’s visual talk showcases some of her key projects and partnership work and details how she uses stitch\, textile archives and folk art to create artworks with and for refugee communities.\n2.10 – 2.40pm – Oldham Libraries staff and volunteers talk about creative community engagement work and the value of Speak English classes\n2.40 – 3pm Tea break\n3 -3.50pm Collaborative stitch session\n3.50 – 4.30pm An interactive\, participatory and performative discussion with artist and activist Jill Eastland.\n4.30 – 5pm Q + A – suggestions /ideas\n5 – 6pm Time to look round the  Art of Mankind exhibition \nLynn Setterington is an internationally recognised textile artist. Her work explores contemporary issues and how stitch can be used to commemorate people and communities. Her quilts and cloths are held in many major public museums including the V&A\, Crafts Council\, IQSC and Whitworth Art Gallery. Born in Yorkshire\, she trained at Goldsmith’s College. Her PhD is from UCA Farnham. She a Senior Lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University. \nJill Eastland is an activist artist and a survivor of mixed heritage. Her work explores themes of social and climate justice. She favours community based and collaborative working practices. She often employs multiples; to create a more detailed discussion of a theme and she tends to produce open-ended bodies of work\, as well as finished pieces. Her work is often very detailed and can contain elements of realism and abstraction together. Participants will be invited to wear the uniforms of low-paid and precarious workers\, particularly the ubiquitous dark blue tabard. These uniforms mark people out as different and yet at the same time render them invisible. They are often worn by people who are marginalised and discriminated against including Migrants\, Refugees\, Black People\, Women and People who have Disabilities. Together\, we will explore the mental health ramifications of the low pay and poor working conditions that people wearing these uniforms encounter daily. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\nTextiles: The Art of Mankind at the Fashion and Textile Museum celebrates the ancient and deep entanglement between textiles\, people and our world. Through the beauty of textiles\, you will encounter human ingenuity that can be traced from pre-history to our digital age. URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/stitch-and-care/ LOCATION:Fashion and Textile Museum\, 83 Bermondsey St\, London\, SE1 3XF\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Community & Participation,Creativity & Wellbeing Week,Mental Health,Textiles ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Oldham-work.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250523T190000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250523T210000 DTSTAMP:20260430T135043 CREATED:20250516T094753Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250519T101628Z UID:10000502-1748026800-1748034000@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:Sounds Like Home Choir and friends DESCRIPTION:The Sounds Like Home Choir warmly invites you to an evening of live music and discussion to celebrate ‘Creativity and Wellbeing Week\, Friday 23rd May at Centre 151\, 7pm – 9pm. \nThe evening will feature:\nThe Sounds Like Home Choir: An open-access community choir of international women\, sharing a variety of songs in acapella harmony that remind us of home. \nHilanderas: Chilean actors\, singers and creatives Stephi Prieto and Valentina Infante perform ‘Voices of the Earth’\, exploring the deep links between women’s subordination and the exploitation of the land. \nMahshid & Dario: Iranian musical duo play a selection of Persian\, Arabic and Hindi songs with voice and guitar\, transcending borders and celebrating cultural connection through music that is both nostalgic and refreshingly modern. \nPanel Discussion\nThe performances will be followed by a relaxed panel discussion to explore the connection between creativity and wellbeing\, featuring some of the performers and hosted by Counterpoints Arts. \nChats and Snacks\nWe will round off the evening with home cooked finger food\, lovingly prepared by members of the Sounds Like Home Choir. Please stick around and have a chat. \n  \nSounds Like Home Choir is currently funded by Arts Council England and is run by Ellen Muriel and Asha Wilson. \nIt was originally commissioned by Counterpoints Arts and has been supported by Old Street Community Pot and Hackney Council. \nMany thanks to Hoxton Hall for hosting weekly sessions and Centre 151 for this performance opportunity. URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/sounds-like-home-choir-and-friends/ LOCATION:Centre 151\, 151 Whiston Road\, London\, E2 8GU CATEGORIES:Creativity & Wellbeing Week,Mental Health,Music ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Screen-Shot-2024-11-20-at-09.42.24.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250524T190000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250524T190000 DTSTAMP:20260430T135043 CREATED:20250407T165522Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250425T141957Z UID:10000482-1748113200-1748113200@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:No Direction Home presents: New Voices DESCRIPTION:Hosted by Yasmeen Audisho Ghrawi \n7pm\, Hoxton Hall – May Scott Studio\, pay what you can \nJoin us for an evening of fresh stand-up from new comedians. Laughter guaranteed! Family friendly\, presented by Counterpoints Arts and Hoxton Hall as part of Creativity and Wellbeing Week. \nThe No Direction Home comedy collective has been running since 2019 to support new comics from refugee and migrant backgrounds\, featuring workshops\, expert tuition and gigs around the country. \nThe gig will be followed by a discussion about the role of comedy in supporting mental health and well-being\, with audience Q&A. \n\nYasmeen Audisho Ghrawi is a performer and comedian. Her new show From The Daughter of a Dictator is touring the UK in 2025. She leads facilitation for No Direction Home workshops.\n\nNo Direction Home is produced by Counterpoints Arts as part of our PopChange initiative. URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/no-direction-home-presents-new-voices/ LOCATION:Hoxton Hall\, 130 Hoxton Street\, London\, N1 6SH CATEGORIES:Comedy,Creativity & Wellbeing Week,Mental Health ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Copy-of-EDITABLE-No-Direction-Home-Poster-1920-x-1080-px.png.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250525T150000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250525T230000 DTSTAMP:20260430T135043 CREATED:20250423T123617Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250514T084746Z UID:10000490-1748185200-1748214000@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:Move Together x Camps Breakerz DESCRIPTION:A fundraising event for Camps Breakerz in Gaza. We will be exploring how movement can provide connection\, resilience & hope.\nYou can book your tickets here \nGet set for a packed day of battles\, music\, conversations and performances celebrating Palestine\, activism and hip-hop culture. Join in the 2v2 Breaking – or simply come down and watch! \nThe event will include: \n\nA therapeutic movement workshop led by Camps Breakerz co-founder Ahmed Alghariz;\nA panel discussion with Ahmed and Palestinian dancers & artists;\nLive music and dance performances; DJs\, MCs & rappers;\nA 2v2 Get Down for Gaza breaking competition\n\n\nSCHEDULE\n\n\n2pm-3pm – Trauma Informed Dance Workshop with Ahmed Alghariz (Camps Breakerz) \n3pm – Doors Open \n4pm-5pm – Panel Discussion and Q&A with Camps Breakerz \n5pm-6pm – Live Music and DJs \n6pm-7pm – Dance Showcase and Dance Battle Registration \n7pm-8pm – Battle Prelims \n8pm-10pm – Battles \n10-11pm – Doors close \n\n  \nThis event is a collaboration between Camps Breakerz\, Arcca Magazine\, Rain Crew and Counterpoints as part of Creativity & Wellbeing week. URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/move-together-x-camps-breakerz/ LOCATION:Peckham Levels\, 95a Rye Ln\, London\, SE15 4ST CATEGORIES:Creativity & Wellbeing Week,Mental Health,Performance & Dance ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/battle_of_the_week_01.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250530T194500 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250530T213000 DTSTAMP:20260430T135043 CREATED:20250519T230814Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250519T231057Z UID:10000503-1748634300-1748640600@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:The Man Who Sold His Skin DESCRIPTION:Sam Ali\, a young sensitive and impulsive Syrian\, left his country for Lebanon to escape the war. To be able to travel to Europe and live with the love of his life\, he accepts to have his back tattooed by one of by the World’s most sulphurous contemporary artist. Turning his own body into a prestigious piece of art\, Sam will however come to realize that his decision might actually mean anything but freedom. \nA special screening followed by a Q&A with director Kaouther Ben Hania and producer Nadim Cheikhrouha. \nDirector: Kaouther Ben Hania \nFeaturing: Yahya Mahayni \, Dea Liane \, Koen de Bouw \, Darina Al Joundi and Christian Vadim \nNominated for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film. 2021. \nFREE. BOOK HERE \nEvent produced by Rambourg Foundation. Supported by Counterpoints. URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/the-man-who-sold-his-skin/ LOCATION:Ciné Lumière\, Institut Français\, 17 Queensberry Place London SW7 2DT CATEGORIES:Film ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/manwho1-mediumSquareAt3X.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250531 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250622 DTSTAMP:20260430T135043 CREATED:20250501T151229Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250602T102852Z UID:10000495-1748649600-1750550399@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:What Will We Do Without Exile? DESCRIPTION:What Will We Do Without Exile? by Basel Zaraa is an immersive\, multi-sensory installation that creates a lush world within a refugee tent\, inviting audiences to imagine life beyond occupation. \nIt is one of our four public art commissions for Moomin 80 during Refugee Week. \nVisit Bradford 2025 Uk City of Culture for full visit details including opening times. \nWhat Will We Do Without Exile\nBy Basel Zaraa \nIn collaboration with: Emily Churchill Zaraa \nSound artist: Pete Churchill \nNewspaper Illustrator and Designer: Charlotte Bailey \nFeaturing the voice of Sahar Qawasmi \nWith thanks to all the interview participants. \nWhile generations of Palestinian bodies have been forced into tents\, their imaginations have never stopped reaching for liberation. What Will We Do Without Exile? pays tribute to imagination as resistance\, as it celebrates the natural and cultural richness of Palestine\, past\, present and future. Through sight\, touch\, sound and stories\, audience members are transported to a reality where the land and its people are finally free. \nWhat Will We Do Without Exile? honours the struggle and sacrifice of colonised people\, and imagines a world where they have not only won their liberation\, but where their resilience and ingenuity are recognised as invaluable examples for humanity in crisis. \nBasel Zaraa is a UK-based Palestinian artist whose work uses the senses to bring audiences closer to experiences of exile and war\, and who creates art in order to face\, express and understand the trauma that his community lives with. His current installation\, ‘What Will We Do Without Exile?’ is an immersive\, multi-sensory installation that creates a lush world within a refugee tent\, inviting audiences to imagine life beyond occupation and war. \nSince 2022 he has also been touring ‘Dear Laila’\, an intimate\, a one-person-at-a-time installation centred around the recreation of a destroyed family home\, which received the ZKB Audience Award 2023. His previous work includes ‘As Far As My Fingertips Take Me’\, a collaboration with Tania El Khoury\, which was awarded Outstanding Production at the Bessie Awards in 2019. His work has been shown at over 50 venues and festivals across five continents. \nWhat Will We Do Without Exile? is co-commissioned and co-produced with Counterpoints Arts and Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture and made possible by Moomin Characters Ltd as part of the  celebration of the 80th anniversary of the first Moomins book. \nRead a text from the opening of the installation on 31 May 2025 URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/what-will-we-do-without-exile/ LOCATION:The Beacon – Bowling Park\, 263 Bowling Hall Rd\, Bradford\, BD4 7TL CATEGORIES:Refugee Week,Visual Arts ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/without-exil-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250531T190000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250531T220000 DTSTAMP:20260430T135043 CREATED:20250513T095140Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250513T095814Z UID:10000500-1748718000-1748728800@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:So Many Ways To Move DESCRIPTION:A powerful performance by poetry and electronic music duo chamæleon\, who explore the relationship between art and activism based on their digital platform An Artist’s Manual Against Apartheid. Co-commissioned and supported by Counterpoints\, this event takes place during Shubbak Festival 2025. \nWeaving together sound\, text and imagery\, this multi-media performance offers a journey inward—toward both the self and the collective—framed by the urgent realities of today. The performance reflects on resistance in its many forms\, confronting complicity in a call to recognise and harness our collective strength against oppressive systems. \nchamæleon is a poetry and electronic music duo formed by Palestinian poet Farah Chamma and Brazilian music producer LIEV\, exploring the intersections between spoken word and musical textures. chamæleon dives into the unknown\, the search for belonging\, and the discovery of one’s identity. \nThrough this performance\, Farah & Liev navigate the intersections of the personal and the political. In it they re-assert the power of art—not only to reflect the times but to move with them. They see art as a force of transformation\, a channel for resistance and renewal. \nTickets: \nPrice: £7 (£8.41 with service fee) \nBOOK HERE \nRunning time: 3 hours URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/so-many-ways-to-move/ LOCATION:Kunstraum\, 21 Roscoe Street\, London\, EC1Y 8PT CATEGORIES:Literature & Spoken Word,Music,Performance & Dance ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Protest-e1747130056396.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250604T200000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250604T210000 DTSTAMP:20260430T135043 CREATED:20250428T124918Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250510T194017Z UID:10000493-1749067200-1749070800@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:Palestine Comedy Club - LIVE! DESCRIPTION:Counterpoints Arts in association with Palestine House\, presents Palestine Comedy Club (PalCom) a Palestinian-UK collaboration fusing comic traditions from both cultures and supporting Palestinian comedians to tour in Palestine\, UK and beyond. \nBooking via Eventbrite \nFeaturing stand-up comedians Alaa Shehada\, Diana Sweity and Hanna Shammas. Plus special guest appearance from Sami Abu Wardeh. \nPalestine Comedy Club is a comedy production company established in the UK and Palestine by Palestinian stand-up comedian\, Alaa Shehada\, with assistance from comedy director\, writer and researcher Dr. Sam Beale\, and film producer\, Charlotte Knowles. \nUnder the leadership of Alaa Shehada\, Palestine Comedy Club is working to establish a stand-up comedy circuit across the West Bank providing space and funds for emerging stand-up comedy talent in the region to hone their craft and develop a culture of live comedy performance that is unique to the Palestinian experience. \nPalestine Comedy Club’s first show\, ‘Balad’ (بلد ) toured to venues in Ramallah\, Nablus\, Haifa\, Nazareth\, Jerusalem and Jenin in 2021. Performed by Alaa Shehada\, Hanna Shammas\, Raed Sheukhi\, Diana Swity\, Ebaa Monther and Khalil Al-Batran\, ‘Balad’ explores the complexity of Palestinian identity as it is experienced across the entire region\, from Hebron to the Golan Heights. \nThe show received excellent reviews and was described as “ laughter in extreme pain\, and a turning point towards a different comedy in Palestine.” URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/palestine-comedy-club-live/ LOCATION:Palestine House\, London\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Comedy ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/PALCOM-STAND-UP-POSTER-3.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250605T190000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250605T200000 DTSTAMP:20260430T135043 CREATED:20250519T235516Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250519T235516Z UID:10000504-1749150000-1749153600@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:Preserving Culture in Conflict DESCRIPTION:As wars are waged across the globe and peoples and nations face existential threat\, how do communities hold on to their culture\, their art\, language\, stories and histories? How do they preserve all that holds them together in the face of devastation and in exile. \nIn the lead up to Refugee Week\, writers from some of the worst affected regions of the recent past and present day come together to discuss their own hopes\, ideas and endeavours to hold onto the foundations of their cultural heritage and identities. In conversation with Sudanese author and activist Yassmin Abdel-Magied are: Eritrean Ethiopian novelist Sulaiman Addonia\, whose most recent novel\, The Seers\, explores the refugee experience and the healing power of art; Ukrainian writer\, historian and Director of the Ukrainian Institute London Dr Olesya Khromeychuk; and Palestinian writer Ahmed Alnaouq\, whose project and book We Are Not Numbers collects the writing and everyday stories of Palestinians in Gaza. \nSulaiman Addonia FRSL is an Eritrean-Ethiopian-British novelist who came to London as an underage unaccompanied refugee. His other novels include The Consequences of Love and Silence is My Mother Tongue\, which have been shortlisted for awards including the Commonwealth Writers Prize and the African Literary Award from MoAD in San Francisco. His essays appear in Lit Hub\, Granta\, Freeman’s\, The New York Times\, De Standaard and Passa Porta. He lives in Brussels where he founded the Creative Writing Academy for Refugees & Asylum Seekers and the Asmara-Addis Literary Festival in Exile (AALFIE).  \nAhmed Alnaouq grew up in Gaza where he earned a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from al-Azher University. Ahmed was the inspiration for\, and original project manager of\, We Are Not Numbers. He later won the UK’s prestigious Chevening scholarship and earned a master’s degree in international journalism from Leeds University. He also serves as advocacy and outreach officer for the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor. Ahmed’s writings have been published by the Gulf News\, New Arab\, and other websites. He is currently based in London. \nDr Olesya Khromeychuk is a historian and writer. She is the author of The Death of a Soldier Told by His Sister (2022). Khromeychuk has written for The New York Times\, The New York Review of Books\, The Guardian\, Der Spiegel\, Prospect and The New Statesman\, and has delivered a TED talk on ‘What the World Can Learn From Ukraine’s Fight for Democracy’. She has taught the history of East-Central Europe at several British universities and is currently the Director of the Ukrainian Institute London. \nYassmin Abdel-Magied is a Sudanese diaspora writer\, broadcaster and award-winning social advocate. Her books include two middle grade novels\, You Must Be Layla and Listen\, Layla\, which she is now adapting for screen\, and Talking About a Revolution\, an urgent critique of contemporary culture and Stand Up and Speak Out Against Racism\, a practical guide for children. Her critically acclaimed essays have been published widely\, including in the bestselling It’s Not About The Burqa and The New Daughters of Africa. She is a Trustee of The London Library. \nTickets: \n\n\n\n\nStandard Tickets – £12.50Excluding fees\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nStandard Tickets for under 30s/unwaged – £8 Excluding fees\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLondon Library Member Tickets – £10 Excluding fees\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLondon Library Member Tickets for under 30s/unwaged – £6 Excluding fees\n\n\n\n\n\nBOOK HERE \nBooks by all the speakers will be available to buy at the event and online from Hatchards. \nNB This event will take place in person at The London Library. Doors (and the bar) will open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start.  \nPlease see the Library’s  Event Access Guidelines before you arrive. \nLondon Library events are subject to Terms & Conditions URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/preserving-culture-in-conflict/ LOCATION:London Library\, 14 St James’s Square\, London SW1Y 4LG CATEGORIES:Literature & Spoken Word,London Refugee Week,Refugee Week ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/London-Library-16-x-10.5-cm.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250607T190000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250607T210000 DTSTAMP:20260430T135043 CREATED:20250506T170516Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250506T170516Z UID:10000497-1749322800-1749330000@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:The Music of Asia Minor: Violin Legends Semsis & Ogdontakis DESCRIPTION:This year’s Refugee Week London\, in the 2025 iteration of Rebetiko Carnival Festival\, violonist Kyriakos Gouventas and a group of brilliant musicians present the work of master violinists Dimitris Semsis (Salonikios) and Ioannis Dragatsis (Ogdontakis). Reviving the precious music of Santourovioli\, the combination of violin\, santur and guitar\, this evening will introduce you to the early rebetiko music of Asia Minor.  \nDuring the great population movement in the southern Balkans in the early 20th century\, seminal artists from Constantinople\, Smyrna and the coasts of Asia Minor settled on the Greek islands and ports. Among them\, great music masters such as Dimitris Semsis (Salonikios) and Ioannis Dragatsis (Ogdontakis) came to Greece\, bringing along their sound and becoming leading figures in the local music scene.   \nTheir captivating performances and recordings made them legendary figures in the history of world music. The main instruments in Early Rebetika are violin\, santur\, guitar\, kanun\, oud and tampoura. Santurovioli is a minimal combination of violin\, santur and guitar. These three form an impressively functional musical system where the microtonal use of the violin shines brightly in the rich harmonics of the santur over a solid bass-guitar rhythmical background. Today\, there are only a few grand masters in the genre and Kyriakos Gouventas is considered the leading figure worldwide. \n \n  \nTickets\n£16/12 concession or £20 at the door\nBooking via Ticket Tailor or 020 7487 5060 \n \n  \nCo–organised with The Hellenic Centre and Rebetiko Carnival Festival 2025.\nPart of London Refugee Week Festival 2025. \nCounterpoints Arts is proud to continue its collaboration with The Hellenic Centre and be part of the Rebetiko Carnival\, a community organisation dedicated to widening access to music and supporting people in need. \n  \nAdditional information \n\nKyriakos Gouventas\nKyriakos Gouventas records hundreds of performances from China to America\, Africa and Australia\, as well as collaborations with world famous artists from all over the world. Gouventas\, the “Genius of the violin” has been teaching modes and maqams to international top-class musicians creating a musical scene of his own and a great following worldwide.  \nHaving studied violin at the State Conservatory he then worked with the State Orchestra of Thessaloniki and in various chamber music ensembles. At the same time\, he was active in Greek music (dimotiko\, rebetiko\, smyrnaiko\, etc) and recently decided to turn his attentions entirely to traditional music. He is a member of the Ensemble of Traditional Music of the municipality of Thessaloniki. He has participated in over 100 recordings/CDs of traditional Greek music and modern ‘entechno’ (a genre of Greek music). He frequently collaborates with the most acknowledged traditional Greek dance groups\, such as the Lykeion Ellinidon\, and plays in regional traditional festivals all over Greece. He is a founding-member of the group Primavera en Salonico\, the group which since 1996 has played with the well-known Greek singer Savina Yannatou all over the world. He is the preferred violinist of the best Greek singers and musicians\, for concerts\, recordings and world tours. Last year seminars in Weimar\, Granada\, London (SOAS)\, Ydra rebetiko conference. He teaches in Thessaloniki at Macedonia University of Popular Music Department and in Athens\, at Athens Conservatoire.  \n  \n\n         \n \n\n  URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/the-music-of-asia-minor-violin-legends-semsis-ogdontakis/ LOCATION:Hellenic Centre\, 16-18 Paddington Street\, London\, W1U 5AS CATEGORIES:Music,Refugee Week ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Copy-of-London-Refugee-Week-2025.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250611 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250707 DTSTAMP:20260430T135043 CREATED:20250429T211104Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250709T121655Z UID:10000494-1749600000-1751846399@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:To Own Both Nothing and the Whole World DESCRIPTION:Henna Asikainen & Roua Horanieh: To Own Both Nothing and the Whole World\nAn exhibition of work by artists Henna Asikainen and Roua Horanieh will be presented at Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art\, Gateshead during Refugee Week 2025. The project has been developed with the participation of a group of people with experience of migration and displacement\, who now live in Gateshead and Newcastle. \nUpdate: book free tickets for a special Midsummer Event on 21 June as part of the installation. \nCo-commissioned and co-produced by Counterpoints Arts and Baltic\, made possible by the support of Moomin Characters Ltd. It is part of celebrations marking 80 years since the publication of the first Moomin story by Tove Jansson\, which had a focus on displacement. The title of the exhibition is a quote from Snufkin\, one of the characters in the Moomin stories. \nIt is one of our four public art commissions for Moomin 80 during Refugee Week. \nThe project explores ideas of home and belonging\, reflecting on the impact of displacement on both human and more-than-human worlds. Recognising that nature is our first habitat without which no home can be built. The materials used in the work are foraged from the surrounding landscape\, each carrying its own enchanting story—bringing communities together in unexpected and meaningful ways. \nThe multiple artworks will be seen outside of the gallery\, in the entrance area Lightbox\, on Ground Floor and in the Level 5 Viewing Box\, with its presence woven across Baltic. \nAt the heart of the work are Taihaku cherry trees and their extraordinary migration story\, where a sole migrant tree in the UK became a saviour of the whole ecosystem\, reviving the extinct community in its native country of Japan. \nThe exhibition also encompasses migratory birdnests with their many stories of movement\, resilience and adaptation and 200-year-old tree roots planted during the Napoleonic Wars\, and which were uprooted by a recent storm. Willow and other foraged wonders from community gardens feature within the artwork alongside a tree felled by a storm in local suburbia\, a reminder of nature’s unpredictability and the cycles of loss and renewal. \nThrough this assemblage of living histories\, To Own Both Nothing and The Whole World invites reflection on the interconnected journeys of people\, plants\, and place—foregrounding the invaluable contribution migrants bring to this country\, and the power and beauty of nature and community in shaping our shared world. \nThe project aims to raise awareness around displacement and climate\, to create the opportunity for dialogue with asylum seekers\, refugees and migrants around the perception of their migration\, their future and how they can thrive in a new environment. It also enables the opportunity for dialogue within the local area on what it takes to welcome a migrant community. Many different elements make a nest\, and it takes many to create it\, weaving together different elements to create something solid that can hold and shelter someone. By creating a story that lives on in people’s memories and thoughts\, there is the potential to change minds and behaviours. \nHenna Asikainen is a Finnish multidisciplinary artist based in the UK\, renowned for her socially engaged and participatory practice. Her work explores the intricate relationships between humans and the natural world\, addressing themes of migration\, climate justice\, social belonging\, and the ecological impact of displacement. \nFor this new public artwork\, Henna is collaborating with Syrian writer and architect Roua Horanieh\, whose multidisciplinary career spans architecture\, storytelling\, and cultural reflection. \nWe are grateful for additional support towards the public programme from the Finnish Institute. The Finnish Institute in the UK and Ireland supports the internationalisation of Finnish and Finland-based artists\, researchers and social actors. As the leading expert on Finnish culture and society\, the Institute enables societal change through art and culture\, empowering diverse perspectives and fostering a more inclusive cultural landscape for all. Founded in 1991\, the Institute is a non-profit\, private foundation funded by the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture. \nHenna and Roua write: \nWe extend our heartfelt thanks to The Alnwick Garden\, Howick Hall Gardens and Arboretum\, and Scotswood Community Garden for their generous and invaluable support of To Own Both Nothing and the Whole World. Their collaboration has been vital in shaping the material and conceptual depth of this project. \nFrom the Tai-Haku cherry trees to ancient oak roots and the supple willow branches\, the contributions of these unique gardens and landscapes have enriched the narrative of this work—allowing us to explore the themes of migration\, belonging\, and the interconnectedness of all life. We have deeply valued the opportunity to collaborate not only with the dedicated staff of each garden but also with our more-than-human allies\, whose histories and presences have helped bring the project to life. \nThis partnership has been a meaningful reminder that communities—both human and more-than-human—thrive through generosity\, shared care\, and reciprocal relationships. Thank you. \nRead a blog post about a visit to Alnwick Gardens as part of the project \nRead an article on Cultured. North East \nDownload a guide to the project: To Own Both Nothing and the Whole World (pdf) URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/to-own-both-nothing-and-the-whole-world/ LOCATION:Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art\, Shore Rd\, Gateshead\, NE8 3BA CATEGORIES:Refugee Week,Visual Arts ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/to-own-both-nothing-and-the-whole-world.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250613T143000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250613T163000 DTSTAMP:20260430T135043 CREATED:20250506T143655Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250509T115046Z UID:10000496-1749825000-1749832200@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:Artist and curator meet-up @ Inodyssey DESCRIPTION:Counterpoints Arts and Gözde Altun invite artists and curators from refugee and migrant backgrounds (or with a specific interest in this context) to a meet-up to see the Inodyssey exhibition\, hear about the curatorial approach and build connections and networks. \nInodyssey is an independent group exhibition that explores themes of displacement\, resilience and belonging\, through multidisciplinary works by artists with lived experience of migration. It brings together stories\, memories and imagined journeys as ways of making sense of movement\, identity and home. Artists include Aya Haidar\, Deniz Pasha\, Fatoş İrwen\, Ghafar Tajmohammad\, Güler Ates\, Liza Jesse-Kats\, Malak Mattar\, and Özgül Arslan. It is curated by Bengü Gün\, Gözde Altun\, and Murat Balcı \nGözde Altun is a London-based curator whose work focuses on social justice\, ecofeminism\, and community-led projects. Her practice often highlights underrepresented voices and explores the connections between art\, politics and everyday life. \nTo request a free place please email tom@counterpoints.org.uk \nImage: Home Performance 1\, by Güler Ates URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/artist-and-curator-meet-up-inodyssey/ LOCATION:Campbell Works\, 27 Belfast Road\, London\, N16 6UN CATEGORIES:Visual Arts ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Home-Performance-I.73x105cm.2014.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250614 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250623 DTSTAMP:20260430T135043 CREATED:20250512T062337Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250512T073842Z UID:10000499-1749859200-1750636799@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:You Look as Though You Might Be a Relation DESCRIPTION:As part of the Counterpoints Moomin 80 commissions for Refugee Week\, Gloucester Guildhall presents You Look as Though You Might Be a Relation by Dana Olărescu. \nFull details \nGloucester Docks \n“Hello there!” cried Moomintroll through the storm\, to show that he was not afraid. “Hello\, hello\,” said the sea-troll. “You look as though you might be a relation”. \nA floating installation by socially engaged artist Dana Olărescu invites us to reflect on how we welcome newcomers to our city\, and form bonds beyond blood ties. Throughout the week\, the raft will travel to various locations\, with a special launch and a culminating live performance. Join us as we explore belonging\, family\, and community in new and unexpected ways. \nThe installation has been co-commissioned and co-produced by Counterpoints Arts and Gloucester Guildhall\, made possible by the support of Moomin Characters Ltd. in celebration of 80 years since the publication of the first Moomin story. \nSite 1 – Sat 14 – Tue 18 Jun \nSite 2 – Tue 18 – Wed 19 Jun \nSite 3 – Thu 20 – Sat 22 Jun \nOnto the Water\nDate and time TBA \nNational Waterways Museum\, Gloucester Docks \nFree\, no booking required \nCome down and take a look at the raft installation as we witness it setting sail\, carrying stories of welcome across the water. A one-of-a-kind moment of adventure awaits. \nMoonlit Arrival\nFri 20 Jun\, 6pm & 7pm \nNorth Quay Docks\, Gloucester Docks \nAs the moon rises\, the Moomin raft will embark on its final journey across the docks. Gather by the water and let the melodies of local artist Zariq Rosita-Hanif float to you on the evening breeze\, carried from the raft beneath the midsummer sky. \nFor those who wish to get closer\, a limited number of special tickets will allow you to row out and experience the music up close. Bring your nightlights and join us for a serene and magical farewell as the raft drifts gently into the night. \nMoomin Picnic \nSat 21 Jun\, 12pm – 6pm \nKings Square \nJoin us for a Moomin-style picnic to mark the finale of a fantastic week of city-wide events for Refugee Week\, part of the Moomins’ 80th-anniversary celebrations. \nIn response to Dana Olărescu’s floating installation in the docks: You Look as Though You Might be a Relation\, the day will celebrate community as a superpower and welcome as a core part of our city’s identity. \nEnjoy delicious free tasters\, engaging activities\, and music from around the world. Bring a picnic – and a small welcoming gift for a stranger. \nWelcome Chorus \nSat 14 & Sat 21 Jun 11am – 5pm\, Tue 17 – Fri 20 Jun 12pm – 2pm and 5pm – 8pm \nRed Isaac\, Senior Producer\, Gloucester Guildhall\, said: “As a dock city\, welcoming people seeking sanctuary is built into our story. There is huge pride in this heritage\, and the theme of welcoming people features prominently in the work of communities and arts organisations across the city\, recognising the transformative and rich contributions of all the cultures that make up Gloucester. The story of welcome\, belonging and safety at the heart of the Moomins chime perfectly with Gloucester Guildhall and city’s values. We are delighted to explore and celebrate these important themes in this project with Moomin Characters and Counterpoint Arts.” \nGloucester Guildhall \nWe will transform our Gallery and Chamber Cinema space into a pop-up book-style welcome. Experience an immersive light and sound installation by Squidsoup & Vilk Collective Welcome Chorus which echoes songs of welcome\, belonging and overcoming adversity gathered from communities across Gloucester. Let the soothing melodies and glowing orbs wrap you in a blanket of harmony and comfort in our warm space/snug. \nMoomins on Film \nSat 7 Jun \nGloucester Guildhall \nMoomins On the Riviera (U)\, 11am \nThe Moomins set sail for the Riviera\, where\, after a journey fraught with storms and desert island dangers\, Snorkmaiden is dazzled by the attentions of a playboy and Moomintroll learns that jealousy’s sting is the most painful of all. \nTOVE (12A)\, 2pm \nA captivating drama about the creator of the Moomins\, her iconic talent and her turbulent search for identity\, desire and freedom. \nMoomin ABC \nSat 29 Mar – Sun 5 Oct \nMuseum of Gloucester \nSettle down for an hour to explore the magic world of the Moomins with your family and immerse yourself in the adventures of Moominmamma\, Sniff\, Stinky\, Little My\, Hodgkins\, Snufkin and Snorkmaiden! \nThe Moomin Gift Shop \nUntil Oct \nMuseum of Gloucester \nFind beautiful gifts\, Tove Jansson prints and cards\, official Moomin merchandise\, and limited edition Moomin 80 items at the Pop-up Moomin Gift Shop at Museum of Gloucester\, open Tue-Sun every week. URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/you-look-as-though-you-might-be-a-relation/ LOCATION:Gloucester Guildhall\, 23 Eastgate Street\, Gloucester\, GL1 1NS\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Community & Participation,Refugee Week,Visual Arts ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/MoominsBoat.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250615T150000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250615T230000 DTSTAMP:20260430T135043 CREATED:20250521T134931Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250604T160943Z UID:10000513-1749999600-1750028400@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:We Are The Many Festival DESCRIPTION:Counterpoints Arts presents: We Are The Many at EartH Hackney on Sunday 15 June – a festival kicking off London Refugee Week 2025 – curated around the theme of ‘Community as a Superpower’\, serving up music\, stories\, sustenance\, healing and resistance. \n\nHosted by Nigerian-born British poet and playwright Inua Ellams\, the event brings together artists\, architects\, chefs\, DJs and musicians in a programme framed around collective and community organising; and ideas for a more equitable and inclusive world. Join us and be part of the many! \n  \nBOOK HERE! \n  \nWorkshop / Food / Spoken Word (EartH Kitchen) \n3pm:\n A closed workshop for youth groups will be led by Linett Kamala – the first female DJ at Notting Hill Carnival – focusing on healing through sound where participants will experience the calming and restorative sonic effects of sound systems. \n5pm:\nEartH Kitchen will open up to the public with an interactive edible sculpture by gastro-architect duo Playte inspired by The Rice Theory of Culture about how rice farming contributes to more collectivistic cultures\, stronger social bonds and a greater emphasis on collective well-being. Alongside this sculpture\, rice dishes will be available by guest chefs –  Carol Puthussery\, Najeem Ebadi (In The Mix)\, Seeds of Wild and sisterwoman vegan\, celebrating diverse cultural heritage and local ingredients. \n5:30pm:\nThe spoken word segment of the programme will feature exciting multi-hyphenates such as writer/actor/filmmaker Chakira Alin\, DJ/poet DJ Kat the Kat-a-lyst\, MC/rapper Fedzilla\, poet/writer/musician/educator Samatar Elmi and artist/performer/writer Tara Fatehi\, who will share their personal stories\, impart lived wisdom and speak to the collective power of community. \nAll are welcome to stay on and connect with others till doors close at 10pm. \n  \nMusic (EartH Theatre) \nOur music programme brings together artists whose voices amplify collective healing\, friendship\, and community. This sonic experience is all about connections and collaborations that cross genres and invite you to celebrate the many. \nDoors 7pm:\nBefore heading to the EartH Theatre\, don’t forget to drop by EartH Kitchen to taste the nourishing rice dishes cooked by our guest chefs before they sell out! \nFrom 7:30pm:\nBlack Obsidian Sound System (B.O.S.S.) was established in the summer of 2018 with the intention of bringing together a community of queer\, trans and non-binary black and people of colour involved in art\, sound and radical activism. Following in the legacies of sound system culture they wanted to learn\, build and sustain a resource for our collective struggles. The black-led system\, based in London\, is available to use or rent by community groups and others with the purpose of amplifying and connecting them. \nFrench-Senegalese anaiis grew up between continents\, moving from Toulouse to Dublin and Dakar before settling in Oakland\, California. She studied at Tisch School of Arts in New York before relocating to London to pursue her music career. Her work is self-reflective and created in pursuit of a collective healing. Following her debut release ‘Nina’\, a liberation chant and reclamation of freedom\, she went on to release her transcendent project\, ‘Darkness at Play’ which reflects her observations of the world\, seeking hope amidst injustice\, and explorations of the divine feminine as a healing force. 2024 sees anaiis add to her extensive list of collaborations with a joint mini-album with Brazilian Group Grupo Cosmo\, including features from Luedji Luna\, and Sessa – before a stunning new solo album in Fall 2025.\n\nSouth London post-punk band Goat Girl are committed to grassroots music\, community engagement and addressing issues like gentrification\, climate change\, migration and social injustice. On their third album\, Below the Waste\, Goat Girl encourages the listener to imagine a world where oppressive structures are broken and stripped away. Beyond the ugliness of the unnatural and unnecessary\, the trio envision a society where collectivism\, community and friendship are celebrated. \n  \nAge: 18+ \nFor more information\, contact Dijana Rakovic\, dijana@counterpoints.org.uk \n  \n“We can begin the process of making community wherever we are. We can begin by sharing a smile\, a warm greeting\, a bit of conversation; by doing a kind deed or by acknowledging kindness offered to us.”- bell hooks URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/we-are-the-many-festival/ LOCATION:EartH Hackney\, 11-17 Stoke Newington Rd\, London N16 8BH CATEGORIES:London Refugee Week,Music,Refugee Week ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/WATM_Website-3.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250616T110000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250622T160000 DTSTAMP:20260430T135043 CREATED:20250513T142506Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250529T143310Z UID:10000501-1750071600-1750608000@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:Encounters DESCRIPTION:ENCOUNTERS is a site-specific installation developed by Kingston School of Art’s MArch Architecture students in collaboration with MA Photography students\, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration rooted in circular economy principles and reuse strategies. Featuring photographic and moving image works\, the exhibition responds to the themes of migration\, refuge\, and displacement. \nThe exhibition is running from 16 to 22 June\, 11am – 4pm each day\, at Yorkton Workshops. \nAlongside the exhibition\, a panel discussion will explore cultural production and research practices related to migration\, displacement\, and social justice. These conversations aim to deepen engagement with the themes at the heart of the project. \nThe panel discussion will be led by Dr Maria Mencia\, an artist-researcher in media arts and digital poetics\, codirector of the research group Sound/Image/Media/ Encounters (SIME) and postgraduate coordinator at Kingston School of Art. Guest speakers will include Dr Amak Mahmoodian\, a multidisciplinary artist and educator\, Kate Watson\, visual artist\, researcher and educator\, Liz Hingley\, artist and anthropologist and Edwin Mingard\, visual artist working principally with moving image. \nThe panel will take place on Thursday 19 June 2025 from 3 to 6pm. Reserve your free place here. Spaces are limited. \nThere will also be a Private Viewing on Thursday 19 June 2025\, from 6.30-9pm. \nThis project is created in partnership with Refugee Week (the world’s largest arts & culture festival celebrating the contributions\, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary)\, Counterpoints (a leading national organisation in the field of arts\, migration and cultural change) and Yorkton Workshops (home to award-winning design studio Pearson Lloyd). \nThe Project:\nEncounters began as a live brief module for MA Photography students\, developed in partnership with Refugee Week and Counterpoints Arts. The students were invited to respond to a brief set by the Refugee Week team and independently devise projects that explore the themes of migration and displacement. For many\, this marked their first direct engagement with refugee experiences and the complexities surrounding displacement. \nTackling such a profound and challenging subject matter has proven to be both a demanding and deeply rewarding journey. It was a process of learning\, and in many cases\, of unlearning: questioning assumptions\, cultivating empathy\, and discovering new ways of seeing. This exhibition presents a diverse range of creative responses\, reflecting not only on the realities of displacement\, but also on the process of coming to understand those realities. \nThe final installation emerged from yet another meaningful Encounter – this time with 17 exceptionally talented MArch Architecture students. Volunteering their time\, they collaborated with MA Photography students to create a site-specific installation that responds to the themes of displacement and refuge. Their design is grounded in circular economy principles\, bringing a sense of lightness/ transience and a commitment to adaptability\, reuse and sustainability. \nThis exhibition is\, above all\, a reflection of all these Encounters – between disciplines\, between people\, and between perspectives. It seeks to convey the insights and growth our students have experienced as they engaged with this vital and urgent topic. \nParticipating Artists:\nAnchen Li\, Anna Jannepalli\, Tommy Pai\, Edith Robinson\, Eghbal Raoufifard\, Jaewoo Lee\, Jay Lin\, Justin Pappoe\, Meng Zhang\, Jingyao Yan\, Rui Zheng\, Shubham Kakade\, Tilan Xue\, Zixin Luo\, Tom Cai\, Yang Tonge\, with Nana Varveropoulou as MA Photography module leader. \nRify Hossain\, Chelsea Richards\, Cam Heslop\, Priyanshi Dhanrajbhai Jain\, Pete Goding\, Alice Parker\, Azsvina Ragunathan\, Eadan Filbrandt\, Babitha Ravi Kumar\, Telma Ferraris\, Rama Shetty\, Rio Jablonski\, Ian Karuhanga\, Berfin Tas\, Valerie Wan\, Shadi Rashedi\, Anisha Iqbal\, Rajan Savaliya\, with Aoife Donnelly as MArch Architecture Lead. URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/encounters/ LOCATION:Yorkton Workshops\, 1-3 Yorkton St\, London\, London\, E2 8NH\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Digital,Film and Photography,London Refugee Week,Multi-Art Form,Photography,Refugee Week,Visual Arts ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/encounters-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250617T181500 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250617T201500 DTSTAMP:20260430T135043 CREATED:20250602T135335Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250602T135335Z UID:10000518-1750184100-1750191300@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:Quo Vadis\, Aida? DESCRIPTION:Join Counterpoint Arts for this special screening as part of Refugee Week\, to mark 30 years since the beginning of the Srebrenica Genocide. \nJasmila Žbanić’s Quo Vadis\, Aida? is Bosnia and Herzegovina’s entry for the 2021 International Feature Oscar. It premiered in competition at the 2020 Venice Film Festival\, and later won the BankGiro Loterij Audience Award at the 2021 Rotterdam International Film Festival. \nThe film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best International Feature\, and nominated for the Best Director and Best Film Not in the English Language BAFTAs. \nQuo Vadis\, Aida? chronicles the 1995 genocide in Srebrenica\, Bosnia. The film follows the fictional character Aida (Jasna Đuričić)\, a schoolteacher from Srebrenica who is employed by the UN as a translator during wartime. Over the course of a few days\, Serbian troops invade Srebrenica\, led by General Ratko Mladić. The townspeople are evacuated to a nearby UN shelter\, where Aida aids the UN officials while trying to secure safety for her husband and two sons. \nThe screening will be introduced by Almir Koldzic and followed by a Q&A. \nBook your tickets here. URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/quo-vadis-aida/ LOCATION:RichMix\, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road\, London\, E1 6LA CATEGORIES:Film,London Refugee Week ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Untitled-design-9.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250618T180000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250618T200000 DTSTAMP:20260430T135043 CREATED:20250522T114946Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250522T115148Z UID:10000516-1750269600-1750276800@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:Haiyu - Screening & Screentalk DESCRIPTION:Join us for a screening of documentary film Haiyu\, intertwining the life narrative of Mariem Hassan with her relentless quest for Western Sahara’s liberation. Mariem’s life and music have been deeply affected by the ongoing tragedy committed to the Sahrawis throughout the colonial era continuing up to this very day. Her songs have been given comfort and hope and have been used as a tool in the fight for independence in Africa’s last colony\, Western Sahara. \nThis year marks 50 years since the Sahrawis people were forced into exile. Winner of the Sheffield Doc Fest Youth Jury Prize\, Haiyu will be followed up by a Q&A with the filmmakers and Danielle Smith\, founder of Sandblast\, an organisation dedicated to building awareness and solidarity for the indigenous Saharawis of Western Sahara. \nGet your tickets here. This film is presented at the Barbican in partnership with Counterpoints. URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/haiyu-the-barbican/ LOCATION:The Barbican\, Silk St\, Barbican\, London\, EC2Y 8DS CATEGORIES:Film,London Refugee Week,Refugee Week ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/HAIYU.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250618T183000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250618T210000 DTSTAMP:20260430T135043 CREATED:20250609T151001Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250609T151001Z UID:10000521-1750271400-1750280400@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:Roundhouse Refugee Week Open Mic DESCRIPTION:Welcome to the Roundhouse Refugee Week Open Mic  event! Join us on Wed 18 Jun 2025 for an evening filled with creative performances and showcases \nWith this year’s Refugee Week theme “Community as a Superpower” we are celebrating creativity with various performances by young people from Community organisations in collaboration with the Roundhouse and groups and organisations working with young people with refugee backgrounds – Babylon Migrant Project\, Compass Collective\, New Citizen Gateway\, Young Roots and Phosphorus Theatre. Project supported by Our HeartBeats DJ project. \nThe event is a celebration of diversity and unity and presents the perfect opportunity to come together as a community. \nLet’s make this evening memorable and show support for refugees through the power of creativity and expression. See you there! \nMore info HERE! URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/roundhouse-refugee-week-open-mic/ LOCATION:Roundhouse\, Chalk Farm Road London NW1 8EH CATEGORIES:Community & Participation,Music,Refugee Week ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/https___cdn.evbuc_.com_images_1046422583_2620137984591_1_original.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250618T200000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250618T213000 DTSTAMP:20260430T135043 CREATED:20250606T105555Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250620T100821Z UID:10000519-1750276800-1750282200@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:No Direction Home x Greene King DESCRIPTION:Join us for a night of fresh stand-up comedy at The Tatterhalls Tavern in Knightsbridge from the No Direction Home collective\, plus 5-minute open mic spots for local comedians hosted by Laith Elzubaidi. Entrance is Free\, all welcome and opened from 8pm. Also featuring Selam Amare and Teddy. \nA special collaboration with Greene King for Refugee Week. \nEnthusiastic about getting into comedy? Book your open mic spot via email at 7263@greeneking.co.uk! URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/no-direction-home-x-greene-king/ CATEGORIES:Comedy,Refugee Week ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/No-Direction-Home-Workshops-Instagram-Post-45-copy.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250620T150000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250620T170000 DTSTAMP:20260430T135043 CREATED:20250521T005742Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250521T005826Z UID:10000511-1750431600-1750438800@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:Waymarkers with liz hingley DESCRIPTION:Join us for an afternoon gathering\, inspired by The Portland Global Friendship Group. \nWAYMARKERS showcases hundreds of personal glass prints made in The SIM Project workshops by people with roots in over 40 countries. The project uses the SIM card as a symbol of connection and a creative tool to bring people with different experiences of mobility together. On display for the first time is an elaborate jewellery piece inspired by The Portland Global Friendship Group and the international trade of Portland stone. \nProject team : Liz Hingley\, Egemen Kizilcan\, Frank Menger\, Sofie Boons. \nProgramme on the 20th June: \n3 pm – Tour of The Curiosity Cabinet exhibition \n@ 171 The Strand\, London\, WC2R \n3:45-5 pm – Activities and refreshments \n@ Exchange\, Bush House North East Wing\, Aldwych \, WC2B 4BG \nFree but please register HERE. \nLiz Hingley is an artist and anthropologist. Her interdisciplinary practice is informed by growing up in Birmingham\, a UK city home to over 180 nationalities\, and living across Europe and China. Blending photography\, sculpture and curation with a lot of conversation and exchange\, Liz seeks to illuminate systems and technologies of belonging and belief that connect people around the world. In the process she has authored five books. \nLiz founded The SIM Project in 2017 and has toured it to 8 countries. The growing collection of unique wearable artefacts made by participants in intimate workshops\, materialise and value stories of mobility and belonging through personal digital archives. The project was selected by London Design Festival 2024 and exhibited at V&A\, London. Liz is currently Honorary Artist at Migration Mobilities Bristol and a Leverhulme Doctoral Scholar on the Programme for Interdisciplinary Resilience Studies. She has also held positions at Kings College London (Digital Humanities)\, The Migration Research Centre\, University College London\, SOAS University (South Asia Institute) and the University of Austin\, Texas (Art History). Between 2013 and 2017 she lived in China as a visiting scholar at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences. \nEvent produced in collaboration with King’s College London. URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/waymarkers-with-liz-hingley-and/ LOCATION:171 The Strand\, London\, WC2R CATEGORIES:Community & Participation,London Refugee Week ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Waymakers.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250620T180000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250620T193000 DTSTAMP:20260430T135043 CREATED:20250522T111136Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250522T115133Z UID:10000515-1750442400-1750447800@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:Bread & Roses - Screening and Q&A DESCRIPTION:Join us for a screening of Bread & Roses\, a searing portrayal of three women fighting to recover their autonomy after the Taliban returned to power in Kabul in 2021. Directed by Sahra Mani\, the film captures the spirit and resilience of Afghan women through the depiction of their harrowing plight and struggle for their rights and freedom. \nThe screening is at 18:10 on Friday 20 June\, followed by a Q&A with Sahra. Get your tickets here. \n\nBFI Southbank is presenting this film in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Counterpoints as part of Refugee Week 2025. URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/bread-and-roses-screening/ LOCATION:BFI\, Belvedere Road\, London\, SE1 8XT\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Film,London Refugee Week,Refugee Week ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Bread-and-Roses.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250621T110000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250621T160000 DTSTAMP:20260430T135044 CREATED:20250616T100322Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250616T132908Z UID:10000523-1750503600-1750521600@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:V&A: Threads of Joy and Community DESCRIPTION:A day of family-friendly workshops and performances to celebrate Refugee Week\, inspired by themes of joy and small acts of kindness. \n  \n“you’re a man now\, boy”   by Isaac Ouro-Gnao\n13:00-13:20 and 15:00-15:20 at the Raphael Gallery\nyou’re a man now\, boy is a dance performance weaving hip hop\, contemporary\, and magical realism into an empathetic experience. Through voice and dynamic movement\, it explores the joy\, the hardship\, and the community found through the healing of mental health difficulties and trauma. \n\n\n\n\n  \nCollaging workshop with Community Arts Box\n\n11:00 – 16:00 at the Learning Centre\nFree drop in collaging workshop focussing on this years Refugee Week theme: Community as a Superpower \n\n\n\n\n\n  \nV&A have curated a day long of family friendly Refugee Week activities\, check out the full programme here: URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/va-threads-of-joy-and-community/ LOCATION:V&A\, Cromwell Rd\, London\, SW7 2RL CATEGORIES:Community & Participation,Refugee Week ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Threads-of-Joy-and-Community.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250621T200000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250621T211500 DTSTAMP:20260430T135044 CREATED:20250509T114358Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250509T114358Z UID:10000498-1750536000-1750540500@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:Is it OK to Laugh? DESCRIPTION:Sheffield Doc Fest presents an evening of comedy and conversation with the Palestine Comedy Club exploring how humour can challenge power\, shift narratives\, and hold space for difficult truths. \nBooking \nJoin us for a unique look at the making of Palestine Comedy Club\, a documentary that follows six Palestinian comedians as they journey across borders\, checkpoints\, and cultural divides to bring laughter to packed theatres in Palestine. \nThrough a mix of film clips\, live reflections\, and a taste of their comedy\, we explores the challenges of earning comic license in complex environments and connecting with audiences across vastly different backgrounds. \nMeet the team behind the film as they share insights on the creative process\, the resilience required to tour under difficult circumstances\, and the power of humour as a form of resistance\, connection\, and storytelling. \nSpeakers:\nAlaa ‘Regash’ Aliabdallah (Director\, Palestine Comedy Club)\nCharlotte Knowles (Producer\, Palestine Comedy Club and Founder\, Tough Crowd)\nAlaa Shehada (Comedian\, Storyteller & Co-Founder\, Palestine Comedy Club) \nModerator: Laith Elzubaidi (Pop Culture and Social Change Producer\, Counterpoints Arts) \nThis event is this age restricted to 16+\nSupported by Counterpoints Arts and Tough Crowd URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/is-it-ok-to-laugh/ LOCATION:Crucible Playhouse\, 55 Norfolk St\, Sheffield\, S1 1DA CATEGORIES:Comedy,Film ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/palcom.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250622T183000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250622T203000 DTSTAMP:20260430T135044 CREATED:20250328T101957Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250529T143508Z UID:10000481-1750617000-1750624200@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:The Blessing: Power of Community - Hackney Empire and Counterpoints DESCRIPTION:The Blessing is a spectacular celebration marking Windrush Day and Refugee Week 2025 that will bring together musicians\, artists and our local community.\nThe event will start with a Caribbean blessing for Hackney\, featuring drumming\, spoken word\, steel pan and singing. The show will finish with our massed choirs\, taking the stage alongside an exciting line up of musical headliners to fill the theatre with rhythm and joy.    \nA partnership between Hackney Empire\, Counterpoints Arts\, and Rising Tide\, The Blessing will be guided by conversations and creative collaboration between young people and their elders. We will celebrate the superpowers of Community and Welcome\, pay tribute to the contributions and experiences of refugee and Windrush generations\, and bring healing and solidarity to those that attend under the watchful eyes of Papa Bois\, a Caribbean folklore character.  \nAll ticket sales will go towards supporting Hackney Empire and Counterpoints’ wider engagement programmes. \nFunded by the Windrush Day Grant Scheme\, supported by Ministry of Housing Community and Local Government administered by Near Neighbours. \nThis project is supported by Hackney Council. \nPresented by Hackney Empire and Counterpoints Arts. \nTickets: \nPrice: £10 – £30 (plus £1.20 per ticket online\, £1.40 per ticket over the phone) \nBOOK HERE\n\nGenerations Together Tickets:\nYoung people can bring someone from an older generation for free – and vice versa. Whether it’s a grandparent and grandchild\, a mentor and mentee\, or just two friends from different eras\, The Blessing is all about sharing experiences across generations.\n• Young Person – Under 25\n• Middle Generation – 25-59\n• Older Generation – 60+ \nRunning time: Approximately 2 hours\, including a 20 minute interval \nContent warning: Contains the use of haze\, frequently changing lighting states and performers in the auditorium URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/the-blessing-power-of-community-hackney-empire-and-counterpoints/ LOCATION:Hackney Empire\, 291 Mare Street\, London\, E8 1EJ CATEGORIES:Community & Participation,Music ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Untitled-design-7.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250623T183000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250623T220000 DTSTAMP:20260430T135044 CREATED:20250609T160956Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250609T161155Z UID:10000520-1750703400-1750716000@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:Paired by Sup? DESCRIPTION:For Refugee Week\, SUP? are excited to unveil a new concept of their supper club series in partnership with Counterpoints and Refugee Week UK\, pairing together our favourite chefs from the refugee community with musicians of a shared background.\n\nFor this first edition\, we are incredibly excited to invite rapper\, Chef and TV personality Big Zuu as he joins heads with Chef Majeda Khoury (The Syrian Sunflower) to curate a one off bespoke menu\, celebrating their shared Levantine heritage at much loved South London venue\, Jumbi.\n\nJoin us for a warm evening championing the power of food and music in bringing communities together\, as Big Zuu and Majeda explore the this year’s Refugee Week theme ‘Community as a superpower’\, whilst raising awareness for the displaced experience and fundraising for the South London Refugee Association.Expect the best of Levantine classics and flavours reimagined\,  music\, prize auctions and conversations around cultural connections in the hopes to offer tangible takeaways on supporting local refugee communities.\n\nWhat’s included:\n\nFood\nExpect a generous 3 course menu of Levantine classics curated by Big Zuu and cooked by Majeda. Veg and Non veg options available at checkout.Drinks will also be available at Jumbi’s bar.\n\nPay it forward\nAs part of our ‘pay it forward’ system\, we reserve 5 seats for asylum seekers from the local hostels to attend the supper club\, so if you can’t make the event and want to support\, there’s an option to purchase their supper club ticket  – or you can make a contribution towards it if you’re already joining!\n\nTickets are limited\, make sure you don’t miss out and reserve your seat now! BOOK HERE!\n\nIf you would also like to donate directly to South London Refugee Association click here.\n\nAllergy information: As the kitchen is used for multiple settings\, unfortunately nothing can be guaranteed to be allergen or gluten-free – if you have any concerns at all about allergies or intolerances\, please get in touch: contact@supsupperclub.com.\n\nAbout SUP?\n\nBorne from a desire to dispel myths around immigration\, SUP? is a non profit organisation empowering displaced people through sharing food\, music and solidarity. We host supper club events to create consciousness-raising conversations that highlight the experience of people who are forced to migrate countries\, whilst celebrating their cultures\, through their own lens.\n\nAbout Majeda\n\nMajeda Khouri is a Syrian chef and human rights activist\, also known as the Syrian Sunflower is dedicated to bringing the vibrant flavours of Middle East to London. Majeda sought refuge in the UK in 2017 and began catering to integrate into British society\, share her rich culture\, and support human rights causes. She used food as a way to tell her story and raise awareness about the situation in Syria.\nAbout Big Zuu\nBig Zuu is a London based Rapper\, Grime artist\, TV Chef & Entrepreneur has made his mark with a dynamic blend of music and entertainment\, whilst remaining a vocal advocate for refugees and marginalised communities.\nAbout Jumbi\nWorld renowned Jumbi is a hi-fi music bar and restaurant in the heart of Peckham known for celebrating the sounds and flavours of the African-Caribbean diaspora.\n\nMake sure to arrive on time on the night and help us highlight the true power of community through shared spaces. Sahtein! URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/paired-by-sup/ LOCATION:Jumbi\, Unit 4.1\, Copeland Park\, 133 Copeland Rd\, London SE15 3SN CATEGORIES:Community & Participation,Refugee Week ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/IMG-20250609-WA0001.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250625T130000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250625T160000 DTSTAMP:20260430T135044 CREATED:20250609T151749Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250609T151749Z UID:10000522-1750856400-1750867200@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:Moving Roots: Diaspora Communities x Climate Action DESCRIPTION:To celebrate Refugee Week and London Climate Action Week\, Climate Outreach is hosting an event exploring the interconnections between climate action\, migration and diaspora communities. \nAccording to the latest RACE report*\, the UK’s climate sector remains one of the least diverse in the UK\, despite climate change impacting all of us. We know the UK’s society is made up of many diverse diaspora communities connected to cultures\, lands and communities all over the world. \nMany of these groups are playing a key role in ensuring the climate change conversation includes their community’s voices and that climate action is shaped by their unique challenges and experiences. \nIn partnership with Counterpoints Arts\, this event aims to highlight the integral role diaspora communities play in supporting and providing agency to those impacted by climate change and climate-driven migration\, despite often not being included in the conversation. \nWe will also showcase the creative and unique ways diaspora members and leaders are taking climate action and making vital links to their cultures and community spaces\, ensuring the climate conversation includes people from all backgrounds and represents diverse experiences. \nJoin the event to hear from: \n– Fahmida Miah\, Climate Outreach \n– Farah Ahmed\, Our Diaspora Futures \n– Jebi Rahman\, Bangladeshi Diaspora Climate Action (BDCA) \n– Zamzam Ibrahim\, Somalis for Sustainability \n– Ania Drewniok\, POMOC \nAlongside the panel discussion\, there will be delicious plant-based food served\, an artistic performance\, and opportunities to connect with others in the climate and migrant justice space! \nSign up before 20th June to attend. \nBOOK HERE! \n* Racial Action for the Climate Emergency (www.race-report.uk) \n* Photo credit: Photo by Zen Chung from Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/women-gardening-5529587/ URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/moving-roots-diaspora-communities-x-climate-action/ LOCATION:Pelican House\, 144 Cambridge Heath Road London E1 5QJ CATEGORIES:Community & Participation,Refugee Week,Sustainability & Climate Justice ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/https___cdn.evbuc_.com_images_1039846933_1665038700143_1_original.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250627T183000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250627T200000 DTSTAMP:20260430T135044 CREATED:20250521T113622Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250521T120437Z UID:10000512-1751049000-1751054400@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:No Direction Home @ Cutty Sark DESCRIPTION:Hosted by Selam Amare\, with comedians Roann Hassani McCloskey\, Alaa Shehada and Victor Rios. \n6:30pm\, Cutty Sark\, pay what you can \nThis is part of a series of events at Royal Museums Greenwich to mark Refugee Week. \nEvent timings: \n\nDoors and bar open: 5.45pm\nEvent starts: 6.30pm\nEvent finishes: 8pm\n\nHost: A proud Ethiopian\, Selam Amare is an entrepreneur and comedian. Selam is the founder of Selam Le Ethiopia and Azmari Bet – an initiative that promotes Ethiopian culture through music\, performance and food. Selam has created a very funny and charming storytelling persona of her own\, sharing experiences of both Ethiopia and England. \nRoann Hassani McCloskey has over 10 years’ experience within the creative industries occupying many roles. They have worked as an award-winning writer (My Father the Tantric Masseur and Who Murdered My Cat?)\, director\, producer\, script supervisor\, production consultant and as an actor\, most recently at Shakespeare’s Globe (Macbeth). Roann is Algerian-British\, Queer and many other things that have led them to focus their storytelling on the heart and humour that runs through tragedy. Their work centres their curiosity and desire to bring stories left at the margins to the centre where they belong. \nAlaa Shehada is a Palestinian actor\, comedian and a graduate of The Freedom Theatre acting school in Jenin camp\, a Palestinian theatre company nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2024. He is also the co-founder of the Palestine Comedy Club – a platform for Palestinian comedians to share their stories\, humour and Palestinian culture. \nNominated for the TV Collective’s Breakthrough Leaders Programme 2025\, Victor Rios is a performer\, artist\, theatre facilitator and filmmaker. Victor is the co-founder of LatinX Actors UK\, a database of Latin-American actors and performers based in the UK. He has worked with organisations including the Royal Festival Hall\, Red Cross\, Young Roots and Brixton House. \nThe No Direction Home comedy collective has been running since 2019 to support new comics from refugee and migrant backgrounds\, featuring workshops\, expert tuition and gigs around the country. \nNo Direction Home is produced by Counterpoints Arts as part of our PopChange initiative. URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/no-direction-home-cutty-sark/ LOCATION:Cutty Sark\, King William Walk\, London\, SE10 9HT CATEGORIES:Comedy,London Refugee Week,Pop Culture,Refugee Week ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/NDH.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250629T000000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250629T000000 DTSTAMP:20260430T135044 CREATED:20250520T065632Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250626T122151Z UID:10000505-1751155200-1751155200@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:Dokhol দখল ’84: Housing Policy and Migration (Postponed) DESCRIPTION:This event has been postponed from 29 June; the new date will be announced here shortly. \nA panel of artists\, activists and architects share stories of housing activism in past movements and present-day campaigns. \nArtist Sonia Uddin’s project Dokhol দখল ’84 is an important starting point which looks at how Bengali homeless families who were housed in appalling conditions in hostels took on the Council\, occupying Camden Town Hall in 1984. The collective organising power of this movement was captured in the archival materials which she shares as an important\, historical archive. \nHousing policy affects and applies to many across the country\, including migrants. Join us\, creatives and activists\, on the day to learn about community empowerment and how to harness collective action in order to fight for housing as a basic human right that should be available to all. \nFree. \nIn partnership with Southbank Centre and part of Refugee Week 2025. URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/dokhol-%e0%a6%a6%e0%a6%96%e0%a6%b2-84-housing-policy-and-migration/ LOCATION:Queen Elizabeth Foyer\, Queen Elizabeth Hall\, Southbank Centre\, London SE1 8XX CATEGORIES:Community & Participation,London Refugee Week,Refugee Week ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Dokhol-at-Southbank-Centre.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250629T150000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250629T160000 DTSTAMP:20260430T135044 CREATED:20250520T071030Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250520T071030Z UID:10000506-1751209200-1751212800@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:Babylon Albion DESCRIPTION:A new voice on nature and belonging\, writer and artist Dalia Al-Dujaili delves into the layered ties between land\, myth and identity. \n\n‘Whoever said nature is still has never watched the seasons migrate.’ \nA lyrical and vivid new work\, Babylon Albion offers a poetic reflection on belonging – not only to a place or a people\, but to the stories that bind them together. \nDrawing from Arab and Islamic mythology alongside English folklore and the Christian pastoral tradition\, Al-Dujaili moves between the real and the mythical – from date palms to oak trees\, from Lamassu to unicorns – inviting us to rethink how we connect with place and with the living world around us. \nIt is\, in many ways\, a love letter – to Britain\, to Iraq and to the earth we all share. It gestures towards a different kind of nativeness: one shaped by layers\, by openness\, and by the restless hum of history\, myth\, and movement. \n\n\nDalia Al-Dujaili is an Iraqi-British writer\, editor and producer based in London. She is the online editor of The British Journal of Photography. Her writing has appeared in the Guardian\, Dazed\, GQ and more. She is the founder of The Road to Nowhere Magazine and in 2023 she was the Producer of Refugee Week. She holds an MA Hons in English Literature from the University of Edinburgh. \nSaqi Books is a leading independent publishing house of trade and academic books on the Middle East and North Africa. Founded in London in 1983\, but with its roots in Lebanon\, Saqi’s publishing programme has led to a rigorous reassessment of Arab cultural heritage. Saqi has been at the forefront of establishing Middle Eastern culture in the UK and beyond for more than four decades. \nSaqi’s publishing – encompassing art\, photography and cookery books\, language\, literature and philosophy\, history and current affairs and much more – is recognised all over the world. They offer an independent platform for writers and artists from all places and cultures. Their authors have attained international prominence not only for the quality of their prose\, but for their authoritative and innovative contributions to public debate. \nSaqi was awarded the British Book Industry Award for Diversity in Literature\, the IPG Diversity Award and the Arab British Culture and Society award. \nTickets: £10 +£3.50 booking fee. Concessions 25%. \nBOOK HERE. \nIn partnership with Southbank Centre and Saqi Books. Part of Refugee Week 2025. URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/babylon-albion/ LOCATION:Purcell Room\, Queen Elizabeth Hall\, Southbank Centre\, London SE1 8XX CATEGORIES:Literature & Spoken Word,London Refugee Week,Refugee Week ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Babylon-Albion-at-Southbank-1.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR