A community celebration in Aberystwyth to mark Refugee Week drew local residents, volunteers and refugee families together for an afternoon of food, culture and conversation.
Food, stories and market stalls
The event — organised by AberAid in partnership with Ceredigion’s Resettlement Team — gave attendees the opportunity to sample dishes from Syria, Ukraine and Sudan, prepared by people who have fled conflict. Stalls were also set up at the town’s farmers’ market by the Clock Tower to help raise awareness of the charity’s work and the experiences of people resettled in the county.
What the gathering aimed to do
Organisers said the celebration sought to recognise the practical and cultural contributions refugees make while providing a space for them to retain connections to their homelands. For some guests, resettlement is a temporary stage; for others it has become the foundation of a new life through employment and local ties. The event combined informal conversation with a visual display of testimonies from refugees about feeling safe and welcomed in Ceredigion.
"We were delighted to see so many people come together to celebrate Refugee Week. The event was a wonderful opportunity to share food, culture and conversation, and to recognise the valuable contribution that refugees make to our local communities."
"These communities have brought unique traditions, skills and perspectives that have woven into, and continue to enrich, the broader social fabric of Wales through music, food, the spoken word and writing. Wales is a Nation of Sanctuary and is committed to helping migrants living in Wales become part of the wider community."
Local impact and reception
The public response was described as overwhelmingly positive. Attendees engaged in conversations about welcome, inclusion and belonging, while volunteers and council staff used the occasion to highlight local support services available to newcomers. The display of quotes from refugees underlined the difference local networks and public services can make in helping people feel secure and connected.
- Organisers: AberAid and Ceredigion Resettlement Team
- Location: Aberystwyth, farmers’ market by the Clock Tower
- Featured cuisines: Syria, Ukraine, Sudan
- Purpose: Celebrate culture, raise awareness, promote inclusion
Practical note for readers
Those interested in supporting resettlement services or finding out more about volunteering or donations should contact AberAid or Ceredigion County Council’s resettlement team via the council website. Events such as this are intended both to celebrate cultural diversity and to provide gateways for neighbours to learn about the practical ways they can help newcomers to settle.
| Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Hosts | AberAid & Ceredigion Resettlement Team |
| Activities | Food sharing, market stall, testimony display |
| Community aim | Raise awareness of refugee experiences and promote inclusion |
The event is part of an ongoing pattern of local activity seeking to bolster community ties and foreground the role of refugees in the social and economic life of Ceredigion.
