Refugee Nights

© Rob Pinney

17, 24 November and I December (all at 7pm) will see a series of ‘Refugee Nights’, a virtual festival created by the IWM Institute marking its launch in November 2020 and organised by the Imperial War Museum as part of Refugees, a free season of exhibitions, artistic commissions and immersive events taking place across IWM London and IWM North in 2020.

From those risking everything to cross the seas, to thousands who experienced the devastating fire in Lesbos’ Moria camp last month, 2020 has seen the highest levels of displacement on record. With an estimated 79 million people forced to flee because of conflict, media attention has gravitated back to the so-called refugee crisis. But how much do we really know about the experiences of those behind the headlines? Over three nights, the festival will explore refugees’ stories throughout history in talks, eyewitness accounts, music and food, and celebrate refugees’ rich and important cultural contributions to UK public life.

Each night, spaced over three weeks, will be hosted by Hassan Akkad, Syrian refugee and creator of BAFTA-winning documentary ‘Exodus’, who will guide online viewers through the festival and share his moving story along the way.

To watch the festival please subscribe to the IWM YouTube Channel and stay tuned for updates on Refugee Nights.