A refugee who could not speak a word of English when he arrived in Tayside is leading the way in organising a new Dundee festival celebrating fellow arrivals from war-torn countries.
Hosam Alabrash, 20, first arrived in Scotland in October 2015 after his family home in the Syrian city of Homs was destroyed in a devastating air raid during the country’s civil war.
Despite being overwhelmed by the uproot, he managed to learn English fluently in just two years and is now part of the organising committee of next month’s Refugee Festival Scotland in Dundee.
The event, also taking place in other cities across the country, will celebrate the cultural contribution of refugees with daily events across the city from June 20 to 30.
Hosam, who yesterday met up with fellow planners at The Shore in Dundee, now sees Perth as his “second-home”, which he shares with his mum, brother and sister.
Sadly, he lost his father during the war and has no information about what happened to him.
The moment he left his home country made such a powerful stamp on his mind that he still remembers the exact time he arrived in Scotland.
“It was 2.15pm on October 28 2015,” he said.
“It seems strange to remember it exactly but it was such a big moment in my life.
“I had never been so far from my own country and I was suddenly starting a whole new life somewhere else.
“My home was destroyed in an air raid. I couldn’t believe it when I came home and saw what was left.
“The army allowed us to see if we could gather anything but there was nothing – just rubble.”
He will himself take part in one of the cultural events next month — singing as part of an Arabic band at a venue in Dundee still to be finalised.
He has many friends from around Tayside as well as friends who are also refugees from Syria.
He added: “I love it here in Scotland. It’s my second home. When I go away I miss it.
“Even recently when I went down to England for a week I really missed it.
“It was a huge change for me [moving to Scotland] but the only thing that really phased me was the language.
“Of course I miss Syria though. Some of my family still live in Homs and Damascus.
“But I’m used to it all now and life is normal here.”
The theme for the festival, now in its 19th year, is “Making Art, Making Home” and will showcase the talents, creativity and resilience of new Scots artists and community groups.
It is hoped it will also break down barriers and highlight the vibrancy and diversity of Scotland’s communities.
The different food, drink, music, poetry, dance, visual art, language and ideas brought here will all play a part in the festival which is being organised by independent human rights charity the Scottish Refugee Council.
For more information, visit www.refugeefestivalscotland.co.uk
