Evros: World Refugee Day 2022

Every year, on 20 June, the world marks World Refugee Day, an opportunity to honor the strength, courage and resilience of millions of people around the world who have been forced to flee their homes. On this occasion, UNHCR office in Evros co-organized a series of activities with the participation of refugees and asylum seekers, local authorities and humanitarian organizations.

Art exhibition: Memories and Emotions

UNHCR in collaboration with the NGO ARSIS, and with the kind hospitality of the Municipal Public Benefit Enterprise for Cultural Development of Orestiada (DIKEPAO) presented on 20 and 21 June 2022 the art exhibition “Memories and Emotions” hosting works made by refugees.

Hundreds of visitors honored with their presence the exhibition at the Cultural Center of the Municipality of Orestiada having the opportunity to see texts written by refugees and asylum seekers expressing their challenges, difficulties and hopes, emotive sketches and drawings by unaccompanied children as well as photos saved on refugees’ mobile phones, filled with memories of their past.

The works, resulting from meetings and educational activities in the region of Evros, triggered reflection and discussions about the violence of uprooting, the uncertainty of daily life and the universality of the human need for safety. Among others, the student of the Municipal Conservatory of the city, Panagiota Kontogianni, who played the piano for the attendees, as well as the photographer George Kalkanidis, who covered the exhibition with photographs, voluntarily contributed to the opening event of the exhibition.

Activities together and for the refugees

World Refugee Day activities were also organized in the reception center of Evros in collaboration with the management of the facility, UNHCR and humanitarian organizations, bodies and local groups:

– Focused group discussions were held with women asylum seekers about their experiences, their feelings and their future plans in the context of Refugee Week Greece by the NGOs HumanRights360 and the Greek Council for Refugees with the assistance of METAdrasi.

– Three-day workshop regarding personal hygiene and care for female asylum seekers with the support of EODY – Greek National Public Health Organization.

– Football tournament with the participation of all unaccompanied children living in the reception center and athletes from the children’s academies of the local Orestiada football club “Orestis Orestiada” attracting positive feedback by all participants.

– Information workshop for the provision of First Aid organized in collaboration with the local rescue department of the Red Cross.

– Screening of an animated film with emphasis on young people and families of asylum seekers with children.

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