Today is World Refugee Day.And it’s that time again for the Tucson World RefugeeFEST in its 4th year:

9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Maracana Indoor Sports Arena on Saturday June 23
555 East 18th Street
Tucson, AZ 85701

Phone: 520-235-7094

Global Village & Culture Booths
Walk the streets of the nations, explore the wide range of cultural goods or refugee business enterprises – stock up for yourself or for gift-giving! This is your opportunity for traditional henna treatment, bead-buying, or an iced Burundian coffee! Want to learn more about refugees and how to make a global impact by acting locally? Visit our information booths or take a mock citizenship exam. Booths & exhibits will be featured as the soccer tournament is played. Come, and learn while you play!

Cultural Talent Performances
Main Stage, 2:30-9pm (schedule below)

2:30pm Arizona Symphonic Winds

3pm Proclamations and USCIS Citizenship Ceremony
Celebrate with us as 50 international children & young adults become new American citizens

4pm Balkan Spirit – Gypsy, Balkan, Middle Eastern music

5pm Refugee Talent Show – dance, music, poetry from Burundi, Somalia, Bhutan and more

6pm Faraz Zein – Iranian/Flamenco guitarist

7pm Balkan Spirit

830 pm Soccer Tournament Awards

Cheer on the winning team as Supervisor Richard Elias recognizes refugee’s contributions to Tucson

Enjoy dozens of performers representing over fifteen countries as they recite poetry, sing, dance and provide the multi-cultural musical backdrop for the evening’s events. Kicking off this year’s festival is an Oath Ceremony where 50 international children will become new American citizens.

Help us cheer on the soccer champions at the Soccer Awards Ceremony led by Omer Kreso, Stephen Zleh & Abdkadir Abdullahi!

Kids’ Corral
RefugeeFEST has fun things to do for children of all ages! Kids can play soccer games of their own, thanks to Alex Mar & the Girls Scouts of Southern Arizona. Parents and children can relax together while listening to stories from around the world.

Info at: http://www.tucsonrefugeefest.com/

Join the Tucson community in welcoming these refugees and enjoying their multi-cultural contributions from all over the world.

Read about refugees’ resilience in today’s AZ Daily Star guest column by Aaron Grigg, interim executive director of the International Rescue Committee (click here), which “offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster.”