Brussels’ refugee committees, together with the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, and Brussels-Capital Region, are hosting a week of events to honour people forced to flee war, conflict or persecution, UNHCR announced in a statement on Friday.
Starting on Saturday, a kaleidoscope of activities is set for the week, including a football tournament in Forest and an open-air concert at Jean Rey Square, along with a photo exhibition, movie nights and a book fair at the refugee community centre at 89 Rue de la Loi.
The events, coordinated to coincide with World Refugee Day on 20th June, aim to “celebrate the strengths and contributions of refugees and focus on the challenges they face,” UNHCR said.
"Let us not forget that refugees are part of our daily life," said Jean-Nicolas Beuze, UNHCR’s Representative in Brussels."They play in the same football teams as we. They sing the same and other songs. They read or write books."
"Without them, our communities would not be so rich and thriving. Let’s celebrate their contribution to our lives,” he urged.
The events run until 23rd June.
More information can be found at https://www.unhcr.org/be/brussels-refugee-week.
