Sunderland’s highly successful programme of Refugee Week events finished in great style with a concert and awards ceremony at Sunderland Minster in front of a huge crowd of supporters.
Introduction and young musical prodigy
After an introduction from Chris Howson, from Sunderland City of Sanctuary and Sunderland university chaplain, and the MC for the event, we were treated to some stunning piano playing from Ivan.
Ivan is a young asylum seeker from Ukraine. 11-year-old Ivan played two superb pieces, including a version of Summertime, which seemed highly appropriate on what was a lovely, warm, sunny afternoon.
Speakers
At the concert and awards ceremony we heard from several speakers such as Councillor Clare Rowntree, Steve Newman and Malika.
Clare Rowntree
Councillor Clare Rowntree, the initial proposer of Sunderland City of Sanctuary said she was passionate about Sunderland being a welcoming city and that the City of Sanctuary is about people living in the community feeling welcome.
It was pointed out that Sunderland is becoming a more diverse city, which means that there are more people with skills which are needed for the city to be growing and vibrant. There are now over 800 asylum seekers in Sunderland.
Steve Newman
Next up was Steve Newman the Chair of Friends of the Drop-in (FODI), who spoke about the obstacles and opportunities for asylum seekers in Sunderland. Steve said that in terms of opportunities there were all the wonderful people in the audience and hope there is a welcoming atmosphere on the city. Steve noted the many positive things said by asylum seekers about Sunderland. As for obstacles, there were numerous barriers at the national level, while at local level more people got Right to Remain, but then have to get through other hoops.
It was also pointed out by Steve the Rwanda Act has put frighteners on people which was what the government wanted. He said that he was hoping for a more congenial system after upcoming General Election, while whoever comes in will have 29 000 appeals to deal with after Sunak had tried to clear the backlog of asylum cases in too much of a hurry in the run-up to the election.
Malika
After Steve, we heard from Malika an asylum seeker living in Sunderland, who gave us some thoughts about Sunderland as her home. She told us that her family had been transferred from Wakefield, where they had many friends. However, in Sunderland, she had been Introduced to several organisations and formed many friendships and Sunderland had become a sanctuary for her.
Malika stated that the majority of people were warm and friendly and that their kindness had helped her to start a new chapter in her life.
Awards Ceremony
Awards were given to the three speakers and to Josh of the University of Sunderland, from Team Sunderland helped asylum seekers play football in Sunderland. Josh mentioned that listening to stories from asylum seekers had made his problems seem small.
There was also an award for Sunderland College, which was gratefully received by Jane Reed, a College of Sanctuary representative. Jane said she was delighted that the college had been awarded College of Sanctuary status along with Northumberland and Hartlepool colleges. She also said that the college wanted to show care and see asylum seekers thrive.
Stories of Sanctuary
Then came the main feature of the event, music from Stories of Sanctuary, a musical group made up of singers and musicians from Sunderland, including those who have come to the city seeking asylum, with one member from Newcastle. They are a multicultural music group with a lovely mixture of western and eastern instruments.
The songs gave voices to the feelings and thoughts of sanctuary seekers from Newcastle and Sunderland. Their music encompassed beautiful melodies and words about the experiences of asylum seekers and solidarity with and from local people. It also featured some excellent musicianship including haunting playing on the violin and other instruments,
The harmonies of voices and instrument were a great metaphor for the harmony of people from different backgrounds, but with a shared humanity…
Among the many highlights were a truly beautiful piece of playing from the violinist who had previously performed as part of the Syrian National Orchestra and an asylum seeker, who is also a doctor, accompanying her on the oud. There was also a song linking St Cuthbert and Northeast history with asylum seekers, with the monks from Lindisfarne having to become refugees after fleeing Lindisfarne following attacks from the Vikings. The song mentioned the miners from Sunderland as well…
Reflections
MC Chris Howson said that it was wonderful to celebrate humans during Refugee Week and this concert was the highlight of the week.
Steve Newman, chair of FODI and one of the main organisers of the Refugee Week programme told me that, “the week has been a massive success. In terms of numbers of refugees and asylum seekers it has been great and in the way that the way partner organisations have been fantastic with the events.”
This was an excellent event with a lovely mixture of local culture and that brought with them by those seeking sanctuary in Sunderland. It seemed to be a highly appropriate end to a highly successful Refugee Week in what it is the changing city of Sunderland.
