A great mix of music and poetry for this summer evening to celebrate Refugee Week – musicians, poets and writers, including author, Mark Haddon.

Early this year the Oxfordshire local group of the nation-wide organisation Freedom from Torture decided to mount an evening of poetry and music during national Refugee Week, both to raise funds for, and awareness of, the plight of survivors of torture who have reached this country. Freedom from Torture works to help survivors rebuild their lives in a variety of ways, from counselling, legal and medical services to activity groups, which aim to reduce social isolation and provide opportunities to acquire – or develop existing – skills. The theme of this year’s Refugee Week is ‘healing’, a theme we planned to reflect in the choice of music and poetry. We have, however, been overtaken by events, and with the war in Ukraine we have broadened the theme to include that of exile, which in any case applies to many, if not most, of the clients of Freedom from Torture.

The event will feature author Mark Haddon (“The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time”), readings by poets and writers Pat Winslow and Carole Angier, and music from around the world with Arne Richards (accordion) and Isabel Knowland (violin), interspersed with poems or passages about the experience of exile and subsequent healing.  We are also delighted to be welcoming several refugees, whose poems have been published and who will read a selection of their work.

The performance will take place in the lovely Romanesque church of Iffley, and will be followed by refreshments in Church Hall close by.  The Parochial Church Council of St Mary’s, Iffley have very kindly offered us the use of both free of charge. There should be ample parking in the area next to the church or in the street leading up to it through the village.  Tickets £8.00 via Eventbrite.  Concessions £5 unwaged, under 16s free – on the door only.