On Wednesday, June 18, 2025, the O2 Centre in West Hampstead will transform into a vibrant hub of creativity, activism, and celebration for a powerful cultural gathering. As part of London Refugee Week 2025, the event, Art, Community, and Human Rights, invites Londoners to come together and explore the festival’s uplifting theme: “Community as a Superpower.” Curated by WE RESTART – Art Centre of Sanctuary, this free public event runs from 3:30 PM to 9:00 PM and promises a dynamic blend of art, discussion, and live performance that highlights the resilience, strength, and spirit of refugee communities.
Attendees will be treated to an immersive experience from the start. The festival features a series of hands-on workshops and striking visual installations created by artists and collectives working directly with people who have experienced forced displacement. These interactive exhibits offer more than just beauty; they open windows into lives shaped by migration, survival, and hope, giving voice to stories that are often unheard.
One of the festival’s central moments is a thought-provoking panel discussion at 4:30 PM, led by AICEM and backed by the Council of Europe. The conversation will explore the importance of human rights in today’s world, with a special focus on Camden’s role as a designated Borough of Sanctuary. Community leaders, artists, and advocates will come together to share how local action can make a global difference.
As the evening unfolds, the stage will come alive with music and storytelling. Asylum seekers from Ukraine and Iran will perform original musical pieces that reflect their personal journeys, blending emotion and artistry in powerful ways. The Zhvan Theatre Company will also present a compelling play that explores the experiences of refugees, weaving together narratives of hardship, courage, and new beginnings.
Outside the venue, an open-air art exhibition curated by the Ben Uri Gallery and Museum will showcase works by refugee and immigrant artists from North London. Displayed on the former Homebase site, the exhibition transforms public space into a celebration of identity, resilience, and belonging.
More than just an event, this festival is a call to recognize the power of community, creativity, and solidarity in advancing human rights. It’s a chance to listen, reflect, and be inspired, together.
