A CELEBRATION of diversity will take place in Barrhead as the Refugee Festival Scotland comes to town.

The festival aims to highlight the diversity of local communities and the contribution refugees make to cultural life through the food, drink, music, poetry, dance, visual art, language and ideas they bring with them when they arrive in Scotland.

This year’s theme is ‘Making Art, Making Home’ and will showcase the talents, creativity and resilience of ‘New Scots’ artists and community groups.

On Thursday, June 27, St Andrew’s Parish Church, in Ralston Road, Barrhead, will play host to a special event dubbed ‘From Syria to Scotland: Cultures Working Together.’

Those who go along will be able to taste dishes from different regions of Syria while finding out how they are prepared. They can also chat with the people who made them.

Syrian and Scottish costumes, crafts and artwork made by local residents will also be on display and there will be entertainment from local musicians.

Soizig Carey, arts and cultural development officer at the Scottish Refugee Council, said: “Our festival is about opening up doors and creating opportunities for people from different backgrounds to get to know each other.

“It’s a really positive celebration of the skills, talents and creativity of people making their homes and rebuilding their lives in Scotland.

“This year’s programme is bursting with creativity and we’re convinced audiences will leave feeling inspired and uplifted.”

Refugee Festival Scotland runs from June 20-30, with more than 100 events taking place across Scotland

Admission to the Barrhead event is free and all those who go along will be made welcome.

For more details, visit www.refugeefestivalscotland.co.uk.