Art. Food. Music. And the kind of human connection you don’t see every day. Refugee Festival Scotland just wrapped up its 25th year—and this one was its biggest yet.
Over ten packed days from June 13 to June 22, more than 160 events unfolded across Scotland, reaching from the Borders to the Highlands. It was more than a party. It was a countrywide celebration of culture, community, and the power of belonging.
A Silver Anniversary Full of Colour and Heart
It’s not every day a festival hits 25 years. And Refugee Festival Scotland didn’t waste the chance to go all out.
Organisers, community groups, and local partners came together to host a sweeping calendar of events—some serious, others light-hearted, all deeply human.
There were painting workshops in Glasgow.
Poetry readings in Dundee.
Football matches in Aberdeen.
And everywhere, the same message: you belong.
Food, Films, and First-Time Moments
The festival wasn’t just about headlines—it was about moments.
One refugee artist from Syria had her first solo show in Edinburgh. A Congolese choir stunned a packed crowd in Inverness. And Afghan families shared recipes passed down over generations at a community kitchen in Paisley.
Midweek, there was a screening of award-winning films made by displaced filmmakers, followed by intimate Q&A sessions. On Friday night? A mashup dance showcase in Leith—African drummers, Ukrainian ballerinas, and one grinning 5-year-old stealing the spotlight.
Some things just don’t translate in words.
A Few Highlights Worth Remembering
There’s no way to list everything. But some moments stood out more than others. Like these:
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An open mic night in Stirling where a young Iranian poet moved the room to tears
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The Edinburgh march for solidarity, with over 2,000 people walking from the Meadows to Parliament
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A pop-up “kitchen crawl” in Glasgow where each room featured cuisine from a different refugee community
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The welcome tent in Inverurie—yes, even remote villages joined in
And there was joy, too. Real, contagious joy.
Table: Refugee Festival Scotland 2025 — By the Numbers
| Category | Number |
|---|---|
| Total Events | 160+ |
| Duration | 10 days (13–22 June) |
| Locations Involved | 30+ cities and towns |
| Estimated Attendees | Over 25,000 |
| Years Since Inception | 25 |
| Countries Represented | 40+ |
The timing couldn’t have been more poignant.
With rising tensions around immigration, asylum seeker policies under fire, and communities still rebuilding post-pandemic, the 2025 festival felt more needed than ever.
Organisers made a deliberate point this year to focus on themes of dignity, hope, and rebuilding trust.
“The festival is a space where we can breathe, where people are seen,” one coordinator said during a panel in Perth. “It’s not about pity. It’s about pride.”
A young refugee from South Sudan, performing spoken word poetry in Glasgow, said it more simply:
“Here, I’m not someone’s problem. I’m a person.”
Volunteers and Community Groups Carried the Weight
None of it would’ve happened without an army of helpers.
Local groups in towns like Oban and Galashiels took on planning roles months in advance. Volunteers, many of them former refugees themselves, coordinated transport, translated flyers, and prepared meals. Some people did it on their own dime.
One refugee-led dance troupe drove overnight from Manchester just to perform in Dundee.
And the response?
Electric.
People clapped till their hands hurt.
No Ticket Needed, Just an Open Heart
The best part? Most of the events were completely free.
There was no velvet rope. No VIP line. No festival pass with a barcode.
Just walk in, sit down, and be present.
A young Glaswegian mum who brought her two kids to the storytelling tent summed it up:
“They don’t care where you’re from, what you look like, or what language you speak. They’re just happy you’re here.”
More Than a Festival—A Future
As the sun set on June 22, organisers sent out a short message of thanks.
“We hope you enjoyed Refugee Festival Scotland 2025 as much as we did. See you next year.”
But the real impact won’t be measured in attendance or Instagram posts.
It’ll be in the friendships made.
The stories shared.
The meals eaten.
And the hearts that cracked open—just a little.
