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Migration Matters Festival 2020 will go live on the web to a global audience between June 15-20, delivering its celebration of sanctuary, migration and solidarity through music, dance, drama and spoken word.

“The past few months have been a challenging time for so many, and those who have felt marginalised before this are feeling the impact more than anyone else,” said festival director Sam Holland.

“We are therefore proud and grateful to put together a programme which will inspire hope, entertain and celebrate the importance of migration even at a time when this is on hold.”

The line-up will feature a variety of online events and interactive workshops.

This includes a hip-hop showcase event with Sheffield poet laureate Otis Mensah, livestreamed gigs with Koni Music, a performance by acclaimed poet Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan, a panel discussion with Magid Magid and guests, an immersive ‘Around the World in 80 days’ adaptation for children and families.

There will also be showcases of artistic talent from the refugee and sanctuary-seeker community, top speakers in conjunction with the University of Sheffield, as well as three newly commissioned works to be announced very soon, as well as a number of community workshops led by Ignite Imaginations and Maya Productions. The festival will build on its proud tradition of bringing the people of Sheffield together and for the first time extending that invitation to people from the world to join in.

Sam continued: “In order to support the festival’s ongoing work, we will be asking for donations and splitting proceeds with Sheffield-based charities supporting refugees and asylum seekers, South Yorkshire Refugee Law and Justice & Lesbian Asylum Support Sheffield. The Migration Matters Festival team would like to thank you all for your support over the past few years. We are living in very uncertain times, and hope that this year’s festival can inspire hope in return.”

Visit www.migrationmattersfestival.co.uk

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