Events
Refugee Week Takeover at Mac
Saturday 21st June - 12-6pm
Activities for all the family!
Save the date for Celebrating Sanctuary's annual World Music and Arts Festival.
Bringing people together to celebrate and experience the culture, arts and stories of refugees and migrant communities through a universal appreciation of music, joy and life. This year its a Refugee Week Weekender, and we're kicking off at Mac on 21st June. As always, we promise you will leave happier and more inspired than when you arrived.
This year's event will bring music and arts from around the world, showcasing the work of highly acclaimed, UK based refugee and migrant artists, from: Guinea Bissau, Kurdistan, Sudan and more to be announced!
This Year's Programme
12-1pm – Hexagon Theatre – Refugee Week Weekender Launch
Welcome to this years festival
Presentations and spoken word
1-2pm – Family Storytelling Workshop in the Garden Studio with Ruth Mestel
2 – 6pm – Music in the Courtyard
Live music and presentations from artists and communities, including:
Birmingham Opera Company
Zawedde
Mohamed Osman
Zirak & Traditionals
Nifeco Costa & Babock Djazz
Information stalls and activities
1.30 – 4.30pm - Drop in art & craft workshop with Ildikó Nagy
About The Artists
Zawedde 
Zawedde is a Yorkshire based singer-songwriter of Ugandan heritage, whose songwriting is inspired by the rich stories that are told around her and that lie within her. Her songs are rooted in the genre of Folk with an infusion of Soul. Since 2017 she has released singles and EP's working with a range of musicians.
Zawedde has performed across Birmingham, Sheffield and London also festivals and events such as: Moseley Folk Festival, Musika Na Kipaji in Goma DRC, Hadisi Urban Festival, co-produced and performed in ‘Les Narratrices’ at Goma’s L'institut Francais; also Birmingham’s prestigious Town Hall, opening for Grammy and Pulitzer Award Winner Rhiannon Giddens. Describe as having ‘expressive and eloquent vocals' we are delighted to welcome Zawedde to our programme for the first time.
Mohamed Osman (Sudan)
Mohamed Osman is a multi-talented Sudanese artist who sings in the Arabic language as well as Tigre. Mohamed has performed for us the last 2 years for Refugee Week with his band and as a duet, and got everyone up and dancing in the Mac Outdoor Arena. We are delighted to welcome him back this year as a duo.
Zirak & Traditionals (Kurdistan)
A captivating musical ensemble hailing from the heart of the Middle East. Their unique sound blends the enchanting tones of the violin with the rich 72-string Santur, alongside the soulful Daf and the rhythmic Zarb. Each performance weaves together melodies and stories, offering a deep dive into the history and geography of Kurdish 
culture. The ensemble's music not only entertains but also educates, preserving age-old traditions for future generations. Experience the harmonious fusion of instruments and narratives that celebrate the vibrant essence of the Kurdish heritage.
Zirak Hamad is a violinist, drummer and singer from Iraqi Kurdistan. A graduate of the Institute of Fine Arts in Iraq, he has a wide range of experience in his home country. Since coming to the UK in 2002 he has delivered Middle Eastern dance and music workshops, performed solo and with many different artists, also forming Daholl Kurdish Band.
Nifeco Costa
Nifeco Costa is a singer and guitarist from Guinea Bissau, West Africa, who came to the UK via Portugal, where he spent several years performing many events, festivals and making television appearances. Now based in the UK Nifeco has formed the band "Babock Djazz", bringing together local musicians with origins from around the globe. Nifeco brings beautiful melodies, a sweet voice and an infectuous Latin groove, guaranteed to get people dancing! He has become a regular contributor to the CSB programme and has also been involved in a number of artist collaborations, with Surge Orchestra at MAC, David Austin Grey & Jonno Gaze at Symphony Hall. We are delighted to have Nifeco Costa and Babock Djazz as our headline act to close the event.
Workshops By
Ruth Mestel
Ruth Mestel (she/her) is a Birmingham-based performer and writer whose work explores themes of self-acceptance, identity, and belonging. She has collaborated with organisations including the Birmingham Rep, Lyric Hammersmith, and most recently, Reimagine Redditch in partnership with Itzatna Arts, co-creating a piece of theatre about the King Fishers of Redditch. Ruth is a member of the Itzatna Collective, which has included projects at Twycross Zoo and with Culture Solihull. In 2025, she was commissioned to write a new piece celebrating Frida Kahlo and Emmy Bridgwater for the Small is Beautiful Festival. Ruth is also the Co-Director of Calathea Arts and brings a warm, bubbly, and socially engaged voice to all her work.
Ildikó Nagy
Ildiko is a Hungarian born, interdisciplinary artist and workshop facilitator who focuses on well-being, nature, encouraging creative self-expression and tackling ecological issues. Her rich array of techniques and processes cover a wide range of materials and methods such as up-cycling, basketry, willow craft, felt making, needlecraft, land art, sculpting, painting, illustration, graphic design, digital media, photography, conceptual art and indeed, a combination of these art forms and craftsmanships. Ildiko is passionate about preserving ancient crafts such as weaving, basketry, willow sculpture and felting, as well as promoting new ways of up-cycling to support environmental learning and raising awareness on the consequences of waste pollution. Ildiko has led workshops and projects with many organisations and events such as: Mac, University of Birmingham, Winterbourne House & Garden, Creative Health CIC, Moseley Arts & Folk Festival, and many more!
Stay tuned for announcements!
Celebrating Sanctuary is a charity who support refugee and migrant artists and work with refugees and asylum seekers through community projects. We are currently unfunded and are bringing you this event due to the partnership and support of Mac. If you would like to support Celebrating Sanctuary or find out more about our work please visit our Donate or Become A Member page.