Events

Monday 15th June 2020, 14:00-15:00

Online via Zoom

A special online conversation between Professor Antonella Sorace (University of Edinburgh, Bilingualism Matters) and Nadin Akta (University of Edinburgh, Syrian Futres Project) exploring the role of language in the lives of Syrian refugess in Scotland.

For more information and to register click HERE.

Friday 24th January 2020, 18:00-20:30

University of Edinburgh Chaplaincy

You are warmly invited to join us for an evening celebrating Syrian culture through food, storytelling and dance. The local Syrian refugee community has organised this event and will prepare some traditional Syrian dishes to showcase regional Syrian cuisine. Following the food, they have prepared presentations to share stories and memories of Syria with guests. For many this will be the first time they have given a presentation in English and this is something they are very excited to do. Lastly, there will be an opportunity to participate in and learn the traditional Syrian dance of Dabka, to round off the evening. This is a fundraising event organised by Syrian young people who have chosen to donate all profits to the Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity. This will be a lovely evening to support the Syrian community and help them give back to an amazing local charity.

For further information and tickets, visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/syrian-culture-night-tickets-90316293465 

Wednesday 30th October 2019, 14.00-17.15

As the protracted crisis in Syria moves towards its 9th year, the Alwaleed Centre at the University of Edinburgh is bringing together academics, practitioners and community members for a special workshop discussing the current and future challenges facing displaced Syrians in the UK, the EU and the Middle East.

With recent political narratives suggesting that we are ‘nearing the end of the Syrian conflict’ and that there are now ‘safe spaces for resettlement’ in Syria, this workshop will reflect on questions of movement, settlement and return from both the top down and bottom up perspectives.

Featuring research and personal testimony from Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan as well as Scotland, the wider UK and Europe, the workshop will be divided into two panels, with the former focusing on the latest policy developments in these regions and the latter on the impact of such policies on everyday Syrian lives.

For further information and free tickets click HERE.

Tuesday 20th August 2019, 17:30-19:00

St John's Church, Princes Street, EH2 4BJ

Scotland has welcomed more than 2,500 refugees from Syria since the devastating conflict began in 2011. The initial challenges of transitioning to a very different culture and environment can be incredibly hard for many new Scottish Syrians. But what about the longer-term challenges of building a new life in a very different country? How do young Syrians in Scotland navigate their way through the education system and onto further/higher education or employment? How do professional Syrians find fulfilling jobs and careers that suit their skill sets and expertise? In this conversation we will hear from Scottish Syrians who have made that transition, as well as organisations who support refugees through the process. We will also consider what we can all do to help our Syrian friends, neighbours and colleagues find long-term happiness in Scotland.                                                                         

Panelists: Nadin Akta (Syrian Futures Project, University of Edinburgh), Ammar Albawab (Chef, Pomegranate Takeaway), Marwa Daher (Media student, City of Glasgow College), Liz McArthur (Re-Act, Refugee Action Scotland), Estifa'a Zaid (Student Action for Refugees, University of Edinburgh).

Chair: Tom Lea (Alwaleed Centre, University of Edinburgh)      

Part of the Edinburgh Just Festival. Further information and free tickets available HERE. 

Friday 28th June 2019, 15:00-17:00

7 George Square, Room G32

The Edinburgh Alwaleed Centre/Syrian Future Project and Bilingualism Matters are delighted to be part of the 2019 Scottish Refugee Festival.

Join us for this thought-provoking exhibition of art works created by members of the Syrian refugee community in Edinburgh, reflecting on language and the sense of home. These personal and individual experiences expressed by children, young people and adults, will inspire viewers to reflect on their own experiences and understanding of bilingualism and refugee languages.

The event will be launched with a poetry reading from Ahmad Al-Ejja, via Skype. Ahmad graduated in Arabic language, literature and religious studies. He has been writing poetry for the last ten years and his latest publication is called "Features of the Soul". His poem will be translated into English by Marwa Mouazen from Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies, University of Edinburgh.

For more information and tickets click HERE.

Thursday 27th June, 18:00-21:00

Chrystal Mcmillan Building, Seminar Room 1

Do you work with, support, teach or volunteer with Syrian communities in Scotland?

Would you like to learn more about Syrian Arabic and gain a better understanding of Syrian culture?

In the first of a series of free workshops, the Syrian Futures Project at the Alwaleed Centre, University of Edinburgh, invites you to explore Syrian language, food and culture with members of the local Syrian community and staff and students from the University of Edinburgh's Department of Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies.

You don't need any prior knowledge of Arabic or Syrian culture to come along. This event is free and open to all.

Provisional Programme:

18.00-18.15: Introductions

18.15-19.15: Syrian Arabic

- A short taster introduction to Arabic sounds, and some greetings and useful expressions in Syrian (Levant) Arabic. Practice what you have learnt with an experienced language instructor, students of Arabic and representatives of the local Syrian community. Led by Dr Jona Fras, Alwaleed Arabic Teaching Fellow, University of Edinburgh.

19:15 -19:45: Light vegetarian dinner including some homemade Syrian treats!

19.45-20.30: Understanding Syrian Culture

- A discussion of some important aspects of Syrian culture which should be considered when working or volunteering with Syrian communities in Scotland. Led by Alwaleed Centre Outreach and Projects Coordinator, Nadin Akta.

20.30-21.00: Discussion and questions

Click HERE for free tickets

If you have any questions at all about the workshop, please contact Nadin Akta: nadin.akta@ed.ac.uk.