THE contribution of refugee communities to life in Scotland will be celebrated by an event at the University of Stirling next weekend.

It will be hosted by the Art Collection and is part of Refugee Festival Scotland, which aims to bring together people from different backgrounds.

Held at the Pathfoot Building, the event will run between 2pm and 4pm on Saturday, June 22, with guided tours of the Experiences of Exile exhibitions, focusing on refugees and migration.

The afternoon will also be an opportunity to sample Syrian baking from Alloa-based patisserie Alwen Cakes, a chance to print a keepsake on the University’s Columbian Press, a musical performance by internationally renowned classical guitarist Ayman Jarjour; readings by the University’s Creative Writing students and a musical performance by the Edinburgh Quartet.

Sarah Bromage, deputy curator of the collection, said: “We are delighted to be holding this open afternoon to showcase the food, music and culture of new Scots.

“This year, the theme of Refugee Festival Scotland is ‘Making Art, Making Home’. The theme focuses on the talent, creativity and resilience of new Scots artists and community groups.

“Included in the exhibition is a display ‘Unpacked: Home from Home’ – a mixed media work created by a group of Syrian women now settled in the Stirling and Falkirk area.

“The exhibition was developed in art workshops at the university over 12 weeks, between September and December 2018.

“Participants reflected on their experiences of leaving their homes in Syria, their journey to Scotland and shared their feelings of making a new home in Scotland. The resulting artwork aims to unpack the individual stories of refugee experience.”