Celebrating Sanctuary: Refugee Week 2026
Overview
Celebrating Sanctuary's annual World Music and Arts Festival returns to the iconic Symphony Hall. Bringing people together to celebrate and experience the culture, arts and stories of refugees and migrant communities through a universal appreciation of music, joy and life.
This year's Refugee Week Festival will bring music and arts from around the world, showcasing the work of highly acclaimed, UK based refugee and migrant artists. With artists from around the world we promise you will leave happier and more inspired than when you arrived.
Programme:
- Zakariye
- TwoManTing
About the Artists
Zakariye - is a poet, playwright and filmmaker from Birmingham. His short poetry film ‘Cages’ has been broadcast on BBC 4 and BBC iPlayer in 2022. Zakariye later went on to win the audience vote at the 2023 Roundhouse Poetry Slam final, cementing his place as a voice to watch. He is now a Roundhouse Resident Artist and a member of Birmingham Hippodrome Origins working on a brand new play, also titled ‘Cages’ that dives into the complexities of friendship, youth and navigating the challenges of growing up in the ends.
Zakariye’s debut poetry pamphlet, Pulling Faces, published by Bad Betty Press will be available to buy at the event. We are excited to welcome Zakariye back to our programme for Refugee Week.
TwoManTing
TwoManTing was formed in 2004 when Sierra Leonean drummer Jah-man Aggrey, and guitarist Jon Lewis played together as part of dance band, Le Cod Afrique, at venues such as Montreux Jazz Festival and WOMAD. The duo immediately became a hit on the UK festival circuit with their brand of bouncy “Sunshine Afro-roots”. Using guitar, live loops and percussion the duo creates a highly danceable full band sound.
Their new album “The Lightning Feather” (2026) blends West African rhythms, acoustic songwriting, reggae, and festival-oriented folk fusion. Built around the partnership of Lewis and Aggrey, the duo combines Sierra Leonean musical influences with contemporary UK acoustic and roots traditions, reflecting the cross-cultural performance style that has made them regular fixtures on the European festival circuit, including Glastonbury and Boomtown Fair.
We are delighted to welcome back TwoManTing to share their new material with us, alongside a few favourites!
Stay tuned for more artist announcements!
Celebrating Sanctuary is a charity who support refugee and migrant artists and work with refugees and asylum seekers through community projects. We are currently unfunded and are bringing you this event due to the partnership with B:Music. If you would like to support Celebrating Sanctuary or find out more about our work please visit our website.
Booking info
Running Times
Our performance running times are usually confirmed close to the show. Where available we'll post the times as soon as we can get them, so check back about a week before for updates. Performance running times are approximate and subject to change.
Unreserved Seating
This is a general admission event; seating is not assigned and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Plan your visit
We want you to have the best time when you visit the Jennifer Blackwell Performance Space (JBPS) at Symphony Hall
Here's everything you need to know to make your visit run smoother than a Sade Operator...
The JBPS is a smaller stage up one floor from the Symphony Hall Entrance with seating on several levels. Unless otherwise stated seating for events in this space are not assigned and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Food & Drink
B:Eats at Symphony Hall
B:Eats is the Symphony Hall cafe serving fresh, seasonal, delicious dishes for daytime dining or pre-show treats.
Home of the Brummie Bacon Cake™, a menu of classic dishes with contemporary twists and a selection of hot drinks and cake, B:Eats has many veggie, vegan and gluten-free options which are bound to hit the right note for a quick snack or pre-show dinner.
Opening Hours
Mon - Sat: 11am - 4pm
B:Eats is not open for evening performances in the JBPS space
Bars
With a bar on every level stocking a selection of beers, wines, spirits, alcohol free and soft drinks, plus delicious snackable treats, you can be sure everyone in your party will find a tipple to enjoy.
Getting to Symphony Hall
By Car
Parking
Convenient parking facilities for Symphony Hall can be found at Q-Park Brindleyplace and Q-Park Mailbox, click here for more information. Both car parks offer electric vehicle charging so you can park and charge during your visit.
Please note that due to temporary works, there is currently a reduced capacity at Q Park Mailbox.
Prebook your parking and receive a 10% discount at Q-Park. Simply enter the code 'BMusic10' during checkout. For each booking made with this code, Q Park will donate 10% of the transaction to B:Music in support of our charitable activities with young people and local artists.
Also, if you download the Q-Park Rewards app you can receive cashback from your parking and cashback from many high street brands.
Good to know
Birmingham City Centre is a Clean Air Zone. Please see Birmingham City Council website here for details.
Electric vehicle charging points within Birmingham can be found here
Check transport disruptions, find parking & find more transport information for Birmingham on the council webpage here
By Bus
We are easily accessible by bus. Plan your journey with Network West Midlands or call the West Midlands Journey Planner hotline on 0871 200 22 33 (charges apply)
By Train
Birmingham New Street and Snow Hill stations are within easy walking distance of Symphony Hall. Moor Street and Five Ways are slightly further away but still within walking distance. Train times can be checked at the National Rail website. There are taxi ranks at each station.
By Bike
There are lots of bike racks in Centenary Square. For information on cycle routes in the city, visit sustrans.org.uk or birmingham.gov.uk/cycling
By Tram
The Library tram stop is just by the Symphony Hall front entrance on Centenary Square. Plan your journey with West Midlands Metro.
Taxi Drop off
The nearest drop off point is Cambridge Street, it is then a 2 minute walk to the Symphony Hall entrance.
By Plane
Birmingham International Airport’s adjacent rail station – Birmingham International – has frequent trains to the city centre.