The struggle for democracy in Burma continues. Although internet access has been choked in Burma, there are still remarkable efforts to get the message out to the rest of the world. And at home there are ways of showing support not least at Forthview Primary School in Pilton, Edinburgh. Continue reading “How to support Burma?”
Author: fay.young
A FEAST in the street
Sun shone on the FEAST. Thanks to everyone who came, this imaginative event was a great success (we spotted our MP Mark Lazarowicz and a few other Leith Open Space supporters in the crowd).
As the music began, people moved towards a makeshift stage in the middle of the Eating Place food market in Castle Street, where Mrs Szeto served Chinese tea at tables arranged between stalls selling cured meat and ostrich burgers. Continue reading “A FEAST in the street”
Come to the FEAST
Here’s an invitation to a feast with a difference.
The FEAST celebrates Chinese food through film and music at a free public performance in Castle Street, Edinburgh on August 30 when Edinburgh band FOUND join forces with Chinese composer Kimho Ip to create music inspired by the sounds of preparing and cooking Dim Sum. Continue reading “Come to the FEAST”
What’s on?
If you want to find out what’s happening in Leith and North Edinburgh, look no further than a new community website celebrating Leith and North.
Congratulations to Nick Gardner, a member of Leith Open Space Group, who designed the website with local news as well as a lively what’s on section and links to the huge range of community groups in our part of town. Continue reading “What’s on?”
Community learning
On Saturday July 26 Nahid Aslam attended the Black and Ethnic Women’s Network meeting on behalf of Leith Open Space Group. The purpose was to share with the Network the work of Open Space and gather support for future events. Continue reading “Community learning”
Trouble Sleeping
Nahid Aslam, of Leith Open Space Group, was one of many community participants who took part in workshops at Stockbridge Theatre Workshop exploring the lives of refugees in Edinburgh. They were working on the script for a film seen through the eyes of five refugees.
Trouble Sleeping, directed by Robert Rae and edited by Tina Hetherington will soon be released. Watch this space as Leith Open Space Group hope to organise an outing to see the film.
For more information see www.trouble-sleeping.co.uk
Summer newsletter
Welcome to summer news from Leith Open Space Group including details of an interesting programme of activities organised by Leith Community Involvement Project (see Summer in the City). There is lots more to come from Leith Open Space too and we will be contacting you again with plans for another Opening Doors shadow scheme and an exciting new Open Space event in 2008. We welcome your thoughts so don’t hesitate to get in touch or post a comment with your news and views.
in case you need reminding, this really is the summer!
Summer in the city
What exactly does democracy mean? The Leith Community Involvement Project has organised a ‘summer school’ so local people can take part in a thought-provoking programme to stimulate debate about the connection between democracy and the lives of ordinary people.
The programme begins in August with drama in the Scottish Parliament (the theatrical kind rather than political debate!). A trip to Holyrood provides the chance to see a performance of “The Journey of Jeannie Deans’? following Jeannie’s journey from Edinburgh to London in an attempt to win the freedom of her sister who, she believes, has been wrongly accused of murder.
The summer school ends with a showing of Ken Loach’s film ‘Land and Freedom’?, about the questions raised by a young woman’s discovery that her grandfather fought in the Spanish Civil War.
All activities are free of charge. FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT JACKIE MEARNS ON 554 9951 OR 07732471660 – she will be on holiday for two weeks from July 13. Continue reading “Summer in the city”
True or false?
During Refugee Week Fay Young of Leith Open Space Group joined an information session organised by Edinburgh Refugee Centre. This is the first part of her report.
We sat at tables in small groups grappling with questions. What exactly is an asylum seeker? Where do most refugees come from? What is a migrant worker? Can there be an illegal asylum seeker? Continue reading “True or false?”
A compassionate culture
I am British, I was born here and I have no intention of leaving here, so I want to create a society here where compassion is built into our culture, in this society we will be so aware of the world around us that we will not need a Refugee Week. Until then this is how we do it.’? Benjamin Zephaniah, Poet
How does Edinburgh do it? Between 18 and 24 June Scotland’s capital joins the rest of the UK in organising events for Refugee Week. A programme of arts, cultural and educational events are planned to celebrate the contribution refugees make to the UK. At the same time the events hope to encourage a better understanding between communities (the Refugee Week website has an interesting blog presenting many different views. You can add yours here too). Continue reading “A compassionate culture”