We are Bristol Yemeni Solidarity Association, a small group of volunteers based in Bristol who raise awareness and money for Yemeni causes and culture. Last year, we successfully held our inaugural Peace of Mind festival which was a mix of music, short films and talks from community leader Taher Qassim and fashion designer Kazna Asker.
Yemen is significantly under-acknowledged by the UK in our opinion. Given that Yemenis have lived and worked in the UK since well before the 19th Century, that Aden (south Yemen) was a former British colony, and with our ongoing role in the current crisis, we think it’s time that Yemen was talked about.
On Friday the 20th of September we will be hosting an event with music, poetry and discussion. We hope it to be a place where people in Bristol (and beyond) can come to show solidarity, support, learn and celebrate Yemeni and British-Yemeni culture. The lineup includes local musicians Milo Gore and Tallulah Blue, poet Fahad Al-Amoudi, and a Q&A with Toby Matthiesen, Senior Lecturer in Global Religious Studies focussing on the middle-east and global Islam, University of Bristol. The event will take place at the welcoming venue and worker’s co-op Cafe Kino, in the heart of Stokes Croft.
Tickets are currently on sale here. No one will be turned away for lack of funds so if you’re unable to purchase a ticket, please send us an email at bysateam@gmail.com and we’ll sort something out.
‘I’m so excited for this year’s event. I’m particularly looking forward to hearing Fahad’s poetry reading. Art is a great way to get an insight into someone’s culture…’ Amy Ritchie, co-founder
‘Peace of Mind Festival is an opportunity for people in Bristol to engage with Yemeni culture and, hopefully, a starting point to better understanding the crises there and how we can help.’ Leo Braukmann-Pugsley, co-founder
