Refugee Week celebrations begin

The week aims to promote links between communities

A week-long campaign aimed at highlighting issues affecting refugees in Wales has begun in Cardiff.

Refugee Week Wales was launched with a free festival in Cardiff Bay on Sunday featuring world music and dance.

The campaign aims to raise awareness of issues affecting refugees and celebrate their contribution to life in Wales.

Wales is home to 10,000 refugees and 2,500 asylum seekers driven from countries like Somalia, the Sudan and Iran by war or human rights abuses.

Fifty events are being held across Wales for people from all backgrounds.

Sunday's festival at Roald Dahl Plass in Cardiff Bay, featured drumming workshops, carnival dance and storytelling.

Across Wales, numerous community groups including schools, churches, charities and libraries will stage live music, theatre and dance performances, poetry recitals, art and photography exhibitions, film screenings and football tournaments.

'Welcoming people'

Many events have been organised by people from refugee communities, as well as those who have helped refugees adjust to life in Wales.

The campaign is supported by a number of charities and the Welsh Assembly Government.

First Minister Rhodri Morgan said Wales has a long history of welcoming refugees and all communities living in the country should feel valued.

Almir Koldzic, UK coordinator of Refugee Week, added: "As a refugee myself, I know that British society is not as narrow minded and mean spirited as some sections of the press and certain politicians would have us believe.

"There is fear and ignorance and even hatred in some quarters. But there is also a lot of welcoming people who understand why refugees have to come to the UK."

Refugee Week takes place across the whole of the UK and is a partnership between the UK's leading refugee charities, including Amnesty International UK, British Red Cross, Refugee Action, Refugee Council, Save the Children and the Welsh Refugee Council.