Events
Refugee Week Takeover at Symphony Hall
Sunday 22nd June – 1 - 4pm
Jennifer Blackwell Space
Save The Date!
With the support of B:Music, Celebrating Sanctuary's annual World Music and Arts Festival returns to the iconic Symphony Hall. 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's Refugee Week Festival will bring music and arts from around the world, showcasing the work of highly acclaimed, UK based refugee and migrant artists. With musicians from Haiti, Iran, France / DR Congo, we promise you will leave happier and more inspired than when you arrived.
Programme
- Zakariye
- Babak Aria
- Germa Adam
- Queen Lilas
About the Artists
Zakariye - is a poet, playwright and filmmaker from Birmingham. His short poetry film ‘Cages’ has been broadcast on BBC 4 and BBC iPlayer in 2022. Zakariye later went on to win the audience vote at the 2023 Roundhouse Poetry Slam final, cementing his place as a voice to watch. He is now a Roundhouse Resident Artist and a member of Birmingham Hippodrome Origins working on a brand new play, also titled ‘Cages’ that dives into the complexities of friendship, youth and navigating the challenges of growing up in the ends.
Zakariye’s debut poetry pamphlet, Pulling Faces, will be published by Bad Betty Press in November 2025. We are excited to welcome Zakariye to our programme for Refugee Week.
Babak Aria - is a musician and singer originally from Iran. He plays the traditional Tanbour, and sings in Farsi, kurdish, Turkish and English, with a captivating voice. Babak is a song writer, composer and performer and has performed across the UK. He performs regularly with Maison Foo, was involved with the Derby Bach Choir, and has collaborated with musicians from many different backgrounds during his time in the UK. We are delighted to invite Babak back to Symphony Hall to present his traditional & contemporary Iranian music.
Germa Adan - a talented musician, draws inspiration from her Haitian folk roots, crafting music that transcends borders. Her journey from Haiti to the US and now the UK shapes her art with explorations of identity. Known for her storytelling and social consciousness, Germa blends vocal and stringed harmonies with influences from various folk traditions. Her second album, 'Borderlines & Bloodlines’, explores themes of ancestry and heritage, draws from inspirational literature, reflecting on the beauty and complexities of Haitian identity. Through her music, Germa invites listeners on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment, bridging the gaps between time and culture.
'It sounds unlike anything else out there' - Songlines Magazine
Germa has been a regular contributor to Celebrating Sanctuary's programme, having performed as a solo, duet and larger ensembles, also as part of an artist collaboration “Birmingham Passage” with Xhosa Cole. We are delighted to welcome Germa back a solo artist to perform music from 'Borderlines & Bloodlines'.
Queen Lilas - formerly known as Lilas Lafleur, was born and raised in Paris to Congolese parents. Her music is positive and from the heart. She is a gifted and accomplished musician, composer and producer who plays piano, guitar, percusssion and more. Lilas was trained by her uncle and highly respected Zoukous artist, Diblo Dibala, a Congolese musician, known as “Machine Gun” for his speed and skill on the guitar. In recent years, Lilas has performed and recorded with him as a backing singer.
Lilas supported R&B superstar, Ne-Yo at his sell-out North East England After Party in Sunderland in 2009, and has performed at various venues and festivals around the UK such as 'Taste of Africa' (Middlesborough), 'L'Afrique Festival' (Newcastle). She recorded and released songs as a featured artist with Roc Nation / Sony RCA artist K Koke. Over the last 3-4 years Lilas has spent time producing, writing and arranging her album, “Ntoto” released in October 2023, and TIYA in March 2025, also performing extensively across the UK. We are delighted to welcome Lilas back with her band of accomplished musicians, to share her exciting, fresh and modern music. Guaranteed to get you dancing!
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 with B:Music. If you would like to support Celebrating Sanctuary or find out more about our work please visit our Donate or Become A Member page.