The number of refugees across Europe is growing, with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reporting that forcibly displaced people have exceeded 21.8 million by the end of 2022. Consequently, poetry, a medium that amplifies the voices of refugees, is gaining traction in both local and national contexts. Poetry projects advocating for refugees have become a powerful tool for sharing victim’s stories and experiences.

Emi Mahmoud

Emithal (Emi) Mahmoud, world-famous poet and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, draws on her own experience as a former refugee to lead her momentous efforts as an advocate for refugees around the globe. In fact, her work has led her to sit down with some of the biggest names on the planet – addressing, among others, former President Barack Obama, the Dalai Llama and the United Nations General Assembly.

In 2021, Mahmoud picked up her pen once more to tackle the immense task of advocacy through poetry. She wrote and performed a piece for the 120 world leaders at the U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow – a piece that explored the intersectionality of refugees who are left more vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

Becoming a vessel for the voice of ‘Mother Earth’ herself, Mahmoud begs her children to open their eyes to how they have hurt her, asks them to reckon with how they have hurt their brothers and sisters and reveals the troubling answer to the question: if the earth could speak to humanity, what would it say?

In addition, Mahmod researched and talked at length with refugees on the ‘frontline of climate change’ in preparation for her writing, documenting stories of volunteers fighting to protect their communities. She simultaneously reveals the momentous efforts of these individuals and the need for those in power to help them out; her poetry is yet again a stream of realization and a call to action for all who hear it.

ARTdespite Gallery

On the ground floor of Berlin’s East Side Mall, among three-story Zaras and bustling MediaMarkts, the ARTdespite gallery stands out. The @heart_for_ukraine and @ukrainehilfeberlin initiative has been running since 2018, creating a space to share Ukrainian books, food and companionship.

Recently, the gallery’s latest initiative, Poetry Nights, captured Berlin’s media attention as Ukrainian migrants gathered there to reconnect and reminisce about their homeland.

Nadia Telenchuk, a Ukrainian poet who relocated to Berlin before the war, organizes these events to revive the language and culture left behind by Ukrainians. The gallery donates all proceeds from art sales during these events to support aid efforts in Ukraine.

Islington Centre for Refugees and Migrants

In 2019, the Islington Centre teamed up with Amnesty International, an organization that has been a voice for global refugee rights for decades. Together, they coordinated the publication of a poem named ‘Trees of Home’ A culmination of months of research, interviews and stories collected by artist Jane Ray and writer Sita Brahmachari, the poem explores the painful themes of familial separation.

Furthermore, the impact of the poem was far-reaching and widely-celebrated, not least due to its celebrity illustrator; Axel Scheffler, best known for the much-loved children’s book The Gruffalo. Scheffler’s vocal support of refugee rights across Europe drew him quickly to the project. The illustration was sold at auction, with all proceeds donated to Amnesty’s ‘Families Together’ project; and so working to combat the very issues the poem reveals.

Looking Forward

As Europe contends with an increasing number of refugees, poetry emerges as a vital channel for amplifying their voices and sharing their poignant narratives with the world. Initiatives like Emi Mahmoud’s advocacy, Berlin’s ARTdespite gallery and the collaborative efforts of the Islington Centre for Refugees and Migrants highlight the transformative power of art in fostering understanding and compassion.

Looking ahead, these poetry projects advocating for refugees promise to continue breaking down barriers, encouraging global communities to listen, empathize and help all who read it better understand the world that they live in and the neighbors with whom they share it.

– Peggy Hughes
Photo: Flickr