The exhibition "Memory and Courage" is coming to the Stelios Foundation Conference Hall, from 17 to 19 June 2026, as part of the Refugee Week Greece Festival
The exhibition "Memory and Courage" is coming to the Stelios Foundation Conference Hall, from 17 to 19 June 2026, as part of the Refugee Week Greece Festival
Displaced children in Strovolos camp in Cyprus, 1974.
Refugee Week Greece 2026 welcomes "Memory and Courage", an exhibition that honours the diverse perspectives and experiences around the concept of courage and the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention. The exhibition is organized by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, the Coordination Center of the Municipality of Athens on Migrants and Refugees (ACCMR) and We Are Community on 17, 18 and 19 June 2026 at the Stelios Foundation Conference Hall in Plaka (22 Kydathinaion Street). The exhibition is supported by the Stelios Haji-Ioannou Foundation, which provides the venue free of charge and contributes financially to its execution. Admission is free and the exhibition will be open for the public from 11:00 to 20:00.
Born from the ashes of the Second World War, the Refugee Convention is the main international legal instrument for the protection of people forced to flee their homes. Visitors are invited to discover rare photographic material that documents major forced displacement movements over the past decades, as well as UNHCR’s evolving humanitarian work in support of people forced to flee.
At the heart of the exhibition are four works by artists with migrant, refugee or diaspora backgrounds, presented with the support of ACCMR; namely Alina Kashitsyna, Safaa Odah and Christopher Lappas, Hamza Matyaqubov, and Aggelos Barai.The artists were selected through an open call that gathered an impressive number of participants, with almost 40 applications. Through different art forms and creative approaches, the works reflect diverse perspectives and experiences around movement, displacement, identity and the concept of "belonging", while they are inextricably linked to the theme of this year's Refugee Week festival, "Courage".
The opening event of the exhibition will take place on 17 June, from 18:00 to 20:00, with panel discussions. Parallel workshops will be also held in the venue of the exhibition with the aim to promote dialogue, creative expression and community engagement.
"Memory and Courage" invites us to get in touch with personal and collective stories that inspire, to reflect and to actively participate in an experience that bridges art and memory with current social realities. We look forward to welcoming you!
Collage by Alina Kashitsyna on Ukrainians.
Illustration by Safaa Odah from Gaza Girl a collaboration with Christopher Lappas published by Ilura Press
Video still of the film by Hamza Matyaqubov.
Photo "I feel good" by Aggelos Barai.
Refugee Week Greece returns for the fifth consecutive year from 15 to 21 June 2026, honouring the creativity and resilience of people who have experienced migration and forced displacement through artistic and cultural events in Athens, and other locations. As part of the global Refugee Week network, the largest art and culture festival, Refugee Week Greece is organised and produced by the We are Community.
Τhe actions and services of ACCMR are implemented within the framework of the project Open Social Net (OSN), funded by the Attica 2021–2027 Programme (NSRF 2021–2027), co-financed by the European Union (ESF+), and implemented by Develop Athens S.A.
About the Organisations:
We are Community
We are Community is a community-powered organisation founded by Dina Ntziora that focuses on diversity in the arts, participatory engagement, and social impact through cultural management. It creates inclusive spaces where creativity, dialogue, and collaboration bring people together across backgrounds, using arts and culture as tools to strengthen belonging, empower underrepresented voices, and build more connected, equitable communities. wearecommunity.info
UNHCR
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, protects people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution. We protect millions of people by responding with life-saving support, safeguarding fundamental human rights and helping them build a better future. Each year, 20 June marks World Refugee Day, the international day to honour people who have been forced to flee. This year, World Refugee Day focuses on the right to seek safety as a common safeguard for all of us. 75 years ago, after the Second World War, the world made a promise through the Refugee Convention: people forced to flee have the right to seek safety and protection. It was never meant for a few. It was meant for all of us. This World Refugee Day, help keep the promise of safety alive. www.unhcr.gr
ACCMR
A vibrant network for an inclusive Athens. The Athens Coordination Center for Migrant & Refugee issues (ACCMR) was established in 2017 on the initiative of the City of Athens. ACCMR is the first municipality-led coordination hub in Greece, facilitating cooperation between the City of Athens and civil society, international organisations and central government, while enabling effective integration policies. An important tool of ACCMR is its Digital Service Mapping Platform, a participatory resource that provides information on social programmes and services available in Athens by public stakeholders and civil society organizations. ACCMR also supports the services of the City of Athens and implements inclusion-focused initiatives that promote the social integration of migrants and refugees, contributing to a more inclusive city for all. Since its establishment, the City of Athens and ACCMR have continuously supported Refugee Week Greece, standing alongside the festival in promoting solidarity, inclusion, and intercultural dialogue. www.accmr.gr/en/
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Instagram: @refugeeweekgreece | Facebook: @refugeeweekgreece | LinkedIn: @refugee-week-greece | website: www.refugeeweek.gr
For more information and press enquiries please contact Dina Ntziora - Producer I [email protected] tel: +30 698 30 50 292