Hamilton celebrates World Refugee Day with newcomers' art

Hamilton's newcomers embraced music, art, photography and crafts to celebrate World Refugee Day in style.

The event was held atthe CentralLibrary Tuesday afternoon, where many refugees and newcomers settled in the Hamilton area gathered to share their lived experiences on their way to becoming Canadian.

June 20 is World Refugee Day, an annual day of commemoration recognized by United Nations which commemorates the strength, courage, and perseverance of millions of refugees across the globe.

Forgovernment-assisted refugees landing in Hamilton, Wesley is the lead agency to welcome them to their new home. The newcomers come from places as far and wide as Syria, South Sudan, Afghanistan, Congo, Ivory Coast.

"Today is an opportunity for us to show how the welcome continues, and it's such a great way for those that we support to express themselves about whatit's like to start a new chapter in their life," saidAndreaButtars, manager ofresource development at Wesley Urban Ministries.

The artists at Tuesday's event expressed themselves in a myriad of ways. Some chose to jump up on stage and rap. Others displayed their wares in beadwork and crochet. One person sat in a corner, applying tiny henna tattoos to hands in preparation for Eid, the Islamic festival to celebrate the end of Ramadan.

And yet others, many of whom missed the show for class, left the walls adorned with their selfies, accompanied by hopeful word clouds to signify what labels these young newcomers want to identify as. Dominant among them all: Canadian.

"Not only are so many of them youth and young adults, but they're also adjusting to being in a new place. It's nice to see them declare who they want to be in this world," said Buttars.

Rabha AlBziai, 35, came to Hamilton from Syria and found herself passing the time by crocheting dresses for her daughter's dolls. Now, she sells everything from tutus to sweaters, all made lovingly by hand.

Safari Chirimwami, 22, moved to Canada last year, and now he makes and sells beaded necklaces, bracelets and even handbags for women. His enterprising spirit, he says, is the one thing that keeps him moving as he tries to earn a high school qualification for the first time.

"It doesn't help to be stuck in this," he said. "The refugee life is hard. You just have to keep moving forward."

The event was held by Wesley Urban Ministries in collaboration with Mohawk College and Hamilton Public Library.

"We want them to feel a lot of pride in their work being showcased, and that people in the community want to come and see that art," explainedButtars. "For the individuals in the community who come today, I hope they're able to learn a bit more about the families and individuals that we've welcomed here in Hamilton."