World Refugee Day 2023

Each year in June, the world celebrates World Refugee Day, the international day to honour people who have been forced to flee.

Today we celebrate this important day with Portrait of Stranger. This multimedia project is a collaboration between artist Platon and UNHCR, The UN Refugee Agency, to reframe the narratives and perception around people forced to flee.

Over the last year, UNHCR and Platon interviewed a diverse group of refugees ranging in age, nationality, ethnicity and personal circumstances. Creating a visual vocabulary through photography and film, Portrait of Stranger explores the universal truths of the human spirit – the desire to be free, to be safe, to be respected, to belong. When we distill the dialogue beyond facts, figures, and borders, can we see ourselves in the story?

Today we also want to express our appreciation to our partner the Signify Foundation, working with UNHCR to provide impactful solutions for refugees. To all employees of the Signify Foundation, thank you for standing #WithRefugees.

"This film and these images are powerful reminders of who refugees really are. They are people like your neighbour, your friend, your colleague. Like you and me, each with our own personality; our hopes; our dreams." Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

Kateryna and Daniel

Kateryna was living in Kyiv, Ukraine. When the war started, she was 5 months pregnant. Together with her husband, she decided to move for some time to Western Ukraine, the city İvano-Frankivsk. At that time, Kyiv was constantly under missile attack. Kateryna's house in Kyiv is close to Ohmadet children's hospital, which was hit several times by Russian rockets. They planned to stay in İvano-Frankivsk, Türkiye, until the circumstances calmed down, but that did not happen. Since then, she has not returned to Kyiv.

Kateryna gave birth to Daniel in the İvano-Frankivsk hospital. Feeling scared because of constant attack alarms, she listened to her friend's advice and spend the summer in Türkiye. She came to Türkiye in July, when her son was 3 weeks old. The journey took about 12 days. Her assumed summer in İzmir has been prolonged, with no end date in site. Currently, she has no idea when she and her family can return to Ukraine.

Country: Türkiye
© Platon/UNHCR

Ferzane and Fehime
Ferzane and Fehime are sisters. Education is their driving force. They want to pursue their studies in International Trade and Bochemistry. They long to go back to Kabul, Afghanistan- their homeland. They worry about their friends and family in Afghanistan. “They were lots of girls like us there. Now they can't study. They can not go out of home without a man.”

When asked what it means to be equal, Ferzane replied, “When someone is telling me that you are not equal with me, I would say, think again. Think again. Maybe your idea would be changed”. Both sisters were also asked what they see in the mirror and Ferzane said, “When I look in the mirror, I see a hero." Fehime smiled and said, “You are meeting with strong persons.”

Country: Türkiye
© Platon/UNHCR

Enzo
Enzo is a kind and gentle man, who has a young son. When asked about the meaning of judgement, Enzo looked down to the floor, deep in thought, then whispered, "It's not easy to be a stranger in the white cities. It's not easy because they judge and see you differently. It’s hard to accept judgment because no one chooses their father, their mother, or skin color, but I am in love with the person that I am”.

Country: Türkiye
© Platon/UNHCR

Chantale

Chantale was 13 when she and her siblings had to flee The Democratic Republic of Congo, seeking refuge in UNHCR refugee camps in Uganda. She now lives in the US and is currently a junior at Wellesley College, Boston.

When asked about the true meaning of freedom she said, “Freedom — I like that word. For me, as a woman, is to be independent and to have choices over your own body. Freedom to decide over your own life. Freedom is a good thing. Could be a bag thing, too. Depending on how you use it”.

Country: Türkiye
© Platon/UNHCR

Veronika
Veronika is 22 years old and recently fled her country with her mother. When asked how she sees a stranger she said, “A stranger is neutral. I don’t judge a person until I know them. But in the end, I hope they are my friends.”

When asked if she was frightened during her troubled journey, she smiled and said, “any person can be bigger than fear”.

Country: Türkiye
© Platon/UNHCR

Omer
Omer came to Istanbul after fleeing from his country as a refugee at age 14, alone. Omer is a dedicated musician who started busking with a band on the street. He now has a studio and performs at proper gigs, including at festivals, restaurants and on national days. When asked if he ever felt like a stranger, Omer’s body language instantly changed and Platon could tell he felt a little vulnerable. “I don’t know how to describe this,” he said, “it is a very bad feeling. Like there is something missing. Ok, I am not welcome. But why?” Omer continued, “I am not an enemy of anyone. I am a peaceful person. Being welcome is a big punch of hope”.

Country: Türkiye
© Platon/UNHCR

Fatma
Fatma is a 12-year-old refugee from Syria. Fatma is a top student in school and is determined to speak English. When asked how she would describe the word freedom, she insisted on answering in English, despite her struggles with the language. Fatma replied “Paradise is a place where there are no bad people, and where everyone is free.”

Country: Türkiye
© Platon/UNHCR

Sasha
Sasha is a feminist, an activist, and a mother. She fled her country with her teenage daughter. When asked about the meaning of power, Sasha replied, “Power, this is like a virus and when it is inside you, you lose your ears, you lose your eyes, you lose your brains, and with time it will destroy you. It is the most dangerous virus in the world. Look at all these infected people”.

When asked what she hopes for, Sasha replied “Open possibilities – I dream about this life for my daughter”.

Country: Türkiye
© Platon/UNHCR