Following a tumultuous year in global politics, Sheffield’s Migration Matters Festival makes a welcome return to mark National Refugee Week. From the 17th to the 25th of June, Sheffield will play host to 50 theatre, music, food and performance events across the city, each of which will celebrate the role of migration and refugees in forming the cultural tapestry of our city. To this end, each of the events will operate on a pay-as-you-feel basis to encourage inclusivity and accessibility.
(Festival director, Sam Holland)
The largest festival of its kind in the UK, Migration Matters has drawn renowned artists from across the globe, as well as creating a platform for the exposure and celebration of local performers. This year features Taiwanese artist Howl Yuan as guest programmer for the festival, for which he has co-ordinated a range of events exploring diaspora (the migration of communities) through talks, film and theatre. Among the week’s talks will be a special appearance from author Lemn Sissay, who will discuss his life experiences as depicted in his No.1 Sunday Times best seller, ‘My Name is Why’, at the Montgomery Theatre.
Within its use of varying art forms as mediums of cultural expression and celebration, the festival can boast memorable nights of music across previous years. Such as the appearance of Sheffield’s anointed poet laureate Otis Mensah alongside Benjamin Zephaniah (Refugee Boy, Peaky Blinders) in 2019. This year’s roster includes an exciting range of acts who will be taking stage at a number of venues across the city. Nigerian Musician Seun Kuti, the son of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, is to perform with Fela’s original band Egypt 80 at the Foundry Sheffield, while All-female supergroup Les Amazones d’Afrique will bring their indomitable energy to the Leadmill.
(All-female West African supergroup, Les Amazones d’Afrique)
As the UK’s only city of sanctuary, Migration Matters holds a special significance to the local community in celebrating what Festival director Sam Holland aptly describes as: “the richness of Sheffield”. As such, this year’s festival promises to be a week for the city to connect and rejoice in our culture, following a particularly challenging year.
All events run on a pay-as-you-feel basis, ticketed events available via Tickets for Good.
For more information, visit: migrationmattersfestival.co.uk.
