On the occasion of World Refugee Day
© Sebastian Rich
On the occasion of World Refugee Day 2022, the UNHCR Country Office in Cyprus and Universitas Foundation present the photographic exhibition Fleeing to Safety, by Sebastian Rich, curated by Stefanos Kouratzis.
The exhibition launch will take place on Monday, 20 June 2022 at 19.00 hours, at Kastelliotissa, the historic building situated within the walled city of Nicosia, opposite Paphos Gate. It will remain open until Friday, 24 June (included). Opening hours are from 10:00 – 20:00 hours.
Visitors are invited to explore the photos of refugees, asylum-seekers and other forcibly displaced persons captured by Sebastian Rich in Cyprus and around the world. During his career Sebastian Rich has photographed most humanitarian crises caused by war and conflict globally, shedding light to the lives of refugees; their pain and suffering, their dreams and hopes. The personal stories and portraits, featured in the exhibition, are a stark reminder that every person has the right to seek safety– whoever they are, wherever they come from, and whenever they are forced to flee.
Grandmother and granddaughter, both refugees from Syria now safe in a UNHCR camp in northern Iraq (Kurdistan) © UNHCR/Sebastian Rich
Grandmother and granddaughter, displaced in Afghanistan after child’s parents were killed a few days earlier. © Sebastian Rich
Mother and son, refugees from Somalia, at a UNHCR health centre in Nairobi, Kenya. © Sebastian Rich
Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) in South Sudan, is an on-going humanitarian crisis and leads to death thousands of young children every year. © Sebastian Rich
Lama, a scientist from Aleppo in Syria, lives with her husband Apostolos and their daughter in Nicosia. © UNHCR/Sebastian Rich
Refugee mother and child in Somalia. The child is being treated for SAM (Severe Acute Malnutrition). © Sebastian Rich
More than 100 million of children, women and men are forced to flee conflict, violence, human rights violations and persecution around the world. Therefore, it is important to address and resolve the underlying causes that force innocent people to flee their homes. Meanwhile, it is equally important to protect people forced to flee and to reaffirm their right to seek asylum with safe access, respect and dignity.
Sebastian Rich
Sebastian Rich has been a photographer and cameraman in hard news, documentary and current affairs all his working life. He has filmed and photographed every major war and conflict, including in El Salvador, Northern Ireland, Afghanistan, Sudan, Ethiopia, Lebanon, The Gulf, Bosnia, Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria and Pakistan and most recently Ukraine. Sebastian was honoured with the prestigious Royal Television Society’s Cameraman of the Year award for his dramatic pictures of war and famine throughout Africa.
“Probably the finest news cameraman and photographer of his time…” – Jon Snow
www.sebastianrichphotography.com
The Universitas Foundation
The Universitas Foundation was established in 2016, having as its main mission the promotion of knowledge for purposeful change in the world. The Foundation aims for knowledge which can be put in the service of worthy causes such as sustainable development, democracy, open and transparent institutions, multicultural cohabitation, peaceful coexistence and respect for civil and human rights.
www.universitas.org.cy
About World Refugee Day
Every year on June 20, the world marks World Refugee Day to honour the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution. This year, the focus is on the right to seek safety. World Refugee Day is an occasion to build empathy and understanding for the plight of all those who are forced to flee and to recognize their resilience in rebuilding their lives. While it is important to protect and improve the lives of refugees every single day, international days like World Refugee Day help to focus global attention on the plight of those fleeing conflict or persecution.
For more information see our Facebook page.
Μοιράσου το στο Facebook Μοιράσου το στο Twitter
