Media invite: As talented refugee artists process displacement through art, Sydney festival is putting them centre stage

SSI and Inner West Council are hosting the Spirit of Welcome Festival — a cross-cultural Refugee Week celebration at the Community Refugee Welcome Centre.  

Meet Rodaba — a young Afghan artist who is painting while her mother and sisters remain under Taliban rule. She is one of many emerging refugee artists that are using arts to help process displacement, and this festival is giving a platform to showcase their talents. 

The festival is a visually rich event with strong photography opportunities across art, performances and community. It is co-designed and led by people from refugee backgrounds, bringing together visual artists, musicians, food and cultural exchange. It is also creating paid opportunities for artists and cultural workers, a practical demonstration of how the arts can help people build economic independence and create connections with local communities.  

WHAT: Spirit of Welcome Community Festival 

WHEN: 12:00pm – 4:00pm, Sunday 14 June 2026 

WHERE: Community Refugee Welcome Centre, 504 Wharf Road, Lilyfield, NSW 

TALENT  

Available for interviews  

Lived experience: 

• Rodaba Qureshi, aspiring young artist from Afghanistan  

• Wei Yan Minn, self-taught photographer from Burma 

• Musicians from SSI’s refugee band 

Insights from: 

• Ghassan Said, SSI's Creative Compass program lead 

• Moones Mansoubi, SSI's Women, Youth and Communities lead, Community Refugee Welcome Centre