Welcome to Scottish Refugee Culture arts and culture page. This page is updated regularly to ensure you are kept informed of the exciting arts and cultural activities that are happening in Scotland.
Refugee Week Scotland 2008
(June 16 - 22)
Another huge success...
Thousands of people celebrated Refugee Week Scotland at over 90 events across the country.
From football tournaments to films, comedy nights to carnivals, exhibitions, plays, parties and much, much more, Refugee Week Scotland is an annual festival of events to celebrate diversity and raise awareness of refugee issues.
To download a pdf of the full programme for Refugee Week Scotland 2008, click here.
For more information about Refugee Week please see http://www.refugeeweek.org.uk
Life After Iraq
An exhibition commissioned by Scottish Refugee Council
Friday 13 June - Sunday 26 October 2008
Commissioned by Scottish Refugee Council, Life After Iraq is an exhibition of work by award-winning photojournalist Angela Catlin and writer Billy Briggs, who travelled to Syria to document the lives of some of the millions of ordinary Iraqis living there after fleeing their homeland. The exhibition also gives an intimate insight into the lives of Iraqi refugees who have come to Scotland seeking safety.
10am - 5pm (Mon - Thur & Sat) / 11am - 5pm (Fri & Sun)
St Mungo Museum of Religious Life & Art, 2 Castle Street, Glasgow, G4 0RH
Free / For more info / T 0141 553 2557 / http://www.glasgowmuseums.com/ /
http://www.angelacatlin.com/ / http://www.billybriggs.co.uk/
UPCOMING EVENTS
9 July - 10 September 2008, every Wednesday, 6.30 - 8.30pm
Knightswood Community Centre
The Kingslink Carnival workshops have been organised by The Princes Trust's Shared Road Programme as support for the Kingslink Carnival which takes place on Saturday 30th August in Scotstoun. We would like to offer young people the chance to perform at the carnival, either on stage or in the parade and also to create artwork such as carnival masks and costumes for the day. Young people will have the chance to develop something for performance within the workshops led by incredibly talented tutors.
We still have spaces in the workshops and welcome any individuals or groups who would like to be participate in them.
We have workshops in
- Breakdancing
- Music Production
- Singing
- Samba Drumming
- Carnival Arts
After the carnival we will have an awards presentation to recognise the young people's achievements, followed by an evaluation session the following week. The Prince's Trust Scotland offers various different programmes which help young people get into employment and training; we will work closely with those young people who wish to do so after the Carnival workshops.
These workshops are aimed at 16-25 year olds but if there are any 14-15 year olds you know who may benefit from these workshops, please contact me and we can discuss the possibilities of them joining.
For more information please contact Amanda Brown on (0141) 204 4409 or email amanda.brown@princes-trust.org.uk
African Summer Workshops @ Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
July - September 2008
Glasgow Museums are holding African dance, music, storytelling and craft workshops over the summer at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Free and suitable for the whole family.
Please click here for more information (PDF).
Days Like This
Scottish Book Trust & BBC Radio Scotland
What's your memorable day?
We want to hear about it.
Take part in this unique project, run by BBC Radio Scotland and Scottish Book Trust. All you need to do is write about a day in your life that was a bit extraordinary.
It could be the day you didn't get married, or the day you got lost in a supermarket. Is there a day that still haunts you? Or makes you smile? Or cry?
If your story is true and centres on a single day, we want to hear from you - everybody has a story to tell. Stories do not have to be in English if it is not your first language - we will endeavour to get them translated.
Your story will be read by our celebrity panel, and will feature on BBC Radio Scotland's website for everyone to read. The best ones will feature in a series of Radio Programmes and be included in a forthcoming book.
How does it work? It couldn't be simpler. Just write and send you short story, with your name and contact details:
Online at:
www.bbc.co.uk/radioscotland/dayslikethis
Or by post to:
Days Like This, BBC Scotland, The Tun,
111 Holyrood Road, Edinburgh EH8 8PJ.
Deadline for stories: 1 November 2008.
Read stories by the celebrity panel by visiting here.
For more information please click here (PDF).
NOTICES
LITERATURE
New Book Casts Light on Refugee Issue
Remzije Sherifi worked as a journalist with Radio Gjilan in Kosova. She lost her job, and almost her life, as the Milosevic regime steadily tightened its grip on the Albanian people who lived there.
In "Shadow Behind the Sun" she recounts her family's history to shine a new light on the terrible events of the 1990s. Now a British citizen she has made her commitment to Asylum Seekers and other refugees, working with the Maryhill Integration Network in Glasgow.
For more information on how to order this book click here.
ONGOING PROJECTS
MUSIC
Fugees United is an integrated collective of young musicians. Currently they 
VISUAL ART
Street Level Photoworks is a photography and new media art gallery. They have been involving refugees and asylum seekers in a collaborative arts project for the past three years. Check out their website on www.streetlevelphotoworks.org to view some of the results.
For information on how to get involved contact: Iseult on (0141) 552 2151 or Email: iseult@streetlevelphotoworks.org
Artists in Exile, Glasgow is a network of professional asylum seeking, refugee, international and local artists. They introduce and provide a platform for artists from a variety of artistic backgrounds and organisations, conduct community outreach programmes, hold exhibitions, host writing workshops and produce theatrical/musical/poetry events. Artists in Exile, Glasgow is funded by Glasgow City Council & The Scottish Arts Council.
For more information contact Artists in Exile, Glasgow at: info.aieg@btconnect.com
Other contemporary art galleries include Transmission, Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA), Tramway and a number of artist run spaces theough the city. The easiest way to find out what's happening is to check the gallery's own website or check www.glasgowartevents.org.uk, an online calendar of contemporary art.
SPORT
There are twenty seven leisure centres across the city click here to find your nearest centre. Centres offer a range of activities from athlectics, golf, racquet sports and hill walking. Click here to discover the sports projects and programmes available throughout Glasgow.
Remember that young people get free access to all Glasgow City Council's swimming pools with a Kidz Card or Young Scot Card!
Cycling is a great way to get to know the city and keep fit. Glasgow has over 110km of cycling network. There are free maps of cycle routes available at leisure centres across the city or call (0141) 287 9171 to request a copy.
FINDING OUT WHAT'S ON
The free daily paper The Metro carries daily listings for cinema, music, theatre, comedy and clubs. There is a free monthly magazine The Skinny which can be picked up in cafes, libraries and bars which carries monthly listings for all cultural events. The List magazine is fortnightly lifestyle magazine which carries reviews and listing for food, music, theatre, cinema, exhibitions and is available from most newsagents. Alternatively check www.list.co.uk where you can search everything that is happening by date, location or type of event.
Glasgow City council publishes The Glasgow Diary every three months which includes lists all events happening in their venues, it is widely available across the city. The accompanying website www.seeglasgow.com is a good online guide to events happening across the entire year.
FILM
The Glasgow Film Theatre is an independent specialist cinema and if you are a Glasgow school pupil you can receive free tickets to certain films. Go to www.gft.org.uk for more information.
THEATRE
The Citizens Theatre first opened as a theatre ‘for the people' - it was to be accessible and affordable for the people of Glasgow. Go to www.citz.co.uk for more information.
Previews cost £3, but occasionally you can see a dress rehearsal for free.
Please phone: (0141) 429 0022 to find out what free showings there are.
The theatre is located in the Gorbals, 15 minutes walk from both Central and Queen Street Station.
ARTS AND CULTURE DISCOUNTS
Kidz Card
Anyone aged 5 to 11 can apply for a Kidz Card. A Kidz Card will get you lots of discounts around Glasgow. You can also get free swimming, free films and can enter many competitions. Many holiday activities are also free with your Kidz Card, click here to apply for your card and to find out more.
Young Scot Card
Anyone aged 12 to 18 who is living or attending full time education within the Glasgow City 
MUSEUMS IN GLASGOW
The People's Palace is a museum that gives you the chance to see the story of the people and
You can see paintings, prints and photographs displayed alongside historic artefacts, film and interactive exhibitions.
The People's Palace is located on Glasgow Green in the east of Glasgow's city centre.
Attached to the People's Palace is the Winter Gardens and Victorian glasshouse where you can relax amongst the tropical plants and enjoy the café. There is a programme of temporary exhibitions and events throughout the year.
Contact details:
People's Palace and Winter Gardens
Glasgow Green
Glasgow
G40 1AT
Phone: (0141) 271 2962
The St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art explores the importance of religion in people's lives across the world and across time. The aim of the museum is to promote understanding and respect between people of different faiths and none.
Displays occupy three floors and are divided into four exhibition areas: the Gallery of Religious Art, the Gallery of Religious Life, the Scottish Gallery and a temporary exhibition space.
It is located at the top of Cathedral Street, City Centre, and next to the Royal Infirmary.
Contact details:
St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art
2 Castle Street
Glasgow
G4 0RH
Phone: (0141) 553 2557
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is the most popular visitor attraction in Scotland and the most visited museum in the United Kingdom outside London. It houses a large collection of art work and artefacts from around the world.
The museum is located on Argyle Street, in the West End of the city, on the banks of the River Kelvin.
Contact details:
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Argyle Street
Glasgow
G3 8AG
Phone: (0141) 276 9599
There are another nine museums across the city, admission to all the sites are free so you can just pop in or bring the family and make a day of it. There's something in Glasgow museums for everyone, and children are particularly. To find out where they are, how to get there and what's on check http://www.glasgowmuseums.com/.
PARKS IN GLASGOW
A great day out for the whole family can be found at one of the seventy parks in Glasgow.
There are a whole range of activities from orienteering trails, bowling greens, tennis courts, cycling trails and skateboard parks or you could just pack a picnic and go enjoy some peace and quiet. Pollok Park was awarded best park in Britain, why not check it out and see what you think?
Glasgow Parks run a programme of events throughout the year to find out what's happening near you check www.glasgow.gov.uk/en/Residents/Parks_Outdoors
LIBRARIES IN GLASGOW
Glasgow has lots of libraries which not only hold books which you are free to read and borrow, but also have many other resources available. These include newspapers, DVDs, CDs, local history materials and large print books.
To find your nearest library click here.
Most libraries also provide materials in different languages. Click here to find out more.
EXPLORING THE CITY
Glasgow is a city with a rich history and there are different ways to explore it but a good place to start is the Heritage Trails. There are seven trails across the city : Glasgow Necropolis, Kelvinbridge, Clyde bridges, Southern Necroplois, Langside, Bellahouston and Pollokshaws for the full routes check www.glasgow.gov.uk/en/Residents/Parks_Outdoors/HeritageTrails
Another good introduction is to the city is the People's Palace located on Glasgow Green. The Palace is Glasgow's social history museum and tells the story of the people and city of Glasgow from 1750 to the present, it gives a good introduction to what makes Glasgow great.
GLASGOW ON THE WEB
If you go to www.hiddenglasgow.com/links.htm there are links to sites offering guides to all aspects of culture in the city including architecture guides, cinemas in the city, virtual tours and old film archives.
Glasgow Gumtree is a community based site which is free to use. It has classifieds, job adverts, accommodation, community classes and activities.
ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE If you are a young person looking for clubs and activities, click here to look at Scottish Refugee Council's Youth Pages.
The Prince’s Trust Scotland runs activities for young asylum seekers and their friends. If you would like to get involved call the Project Officer on (0141) 204 4409.
Visit The Princes Trust Scotland website for more information.
Holiday Programmes
No need to be bored during the school holidays check out Glasgow City Council's Holiday Programmes where you can take part in extreme sports, arts, DJ workshops, drama and sport. Most activities are free to Kidz card /Young Scot card holders. Look out for flyers in schools giving the details.
For any other enquiries please contact Abbie Wallace, Arts & Cultural Development Officer, on abbie.wallace@scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk