The ‘poetry tree’ in St Andrew Square Garden
Home is a dead tree in the garden. Well, not quite so dead now that it is fluttering with poems about home to mark Refugee Week in Edinburgh. Continue reading “Home thoughts: poetry for Refugee Week”
Category: Monthly diary
Reel Iraq in McDonald Road Library
In their own words: a rare chance to hear modern Iraqi writers. Meet Sinan Antoon, Hussain Al-Mozany, Betool Khedairi, Gulala Nouri and Saadi Youssef at the McDonald Road Readings. Continue reading “Reel Iraq in McDonald Road Library”
Best foot forward to a new year in Leith
Fortune-telling in shoes: The Shape of Things to Come was one of our best read stories last year.
In Homecoming year Leith Open Space will report more stories of remarkable new and old Leithers. But first news of our multicultural discussion event for women who care in March, a campaign to get women into politics and a fascinating glimpse of Scottish politics from Opening Doors ‘shadow’ Francis Kahembwe. Then treat yourself to a quick world tour without leaving Leith, travel back in time to the Lost World, and pick up a free book on the way.
Poetry and Politics in June
Natural Progression: 600 pieces of black bamboo set the scene for dance in the Botanics on midsummer night.
Poetry, politics and planting: we can look forward to a long hot summer, if events in this month’s newsletter are anything to go by. Get involved in environment politics through our Leith Open Space Opening Doors shadow scheme, and learn about an inspiring intercultural summer school. Don’t miss Dialogues of Wind and Bamboo midsummer’s event in the Botanics, look out for Poet’s Corner in Dalmeny Street, and watch Redbraes community garden grow. Come and help us plant some tatties in Persevere Garden on 21 June and relax in the Botanics on midsummer eve.
Support for English classes
Edinburgh Refugee Centre pay travel expenses for people taking their beginners and improvers English classes starting in March. This month’s activities also include a visit to the Scottish Parliament to see where Scottish laws are made. Continue reading “Support for English classes”
Trouble Sleeping
Nahid Aslam, of Leith Open Space Group, was one of many community participants who took part in workshops at Stockbridge Theatre Workshop exploring the lives of refugees in Edinburgh. They were working on the script for a film seen through the eyes of five refugees.
Trouble Sleeping, directed by Robert Rae and edited by Tina Hetherington will soon be released. Watch this space as Leith Open Space Group hope to organise an outing to see the film.
For more information see www.trouble-sleeping.co.uk
February diary
Food and family are main themes of events in our February diary. See Wednesday if you like curry, Thursday if you have views on childcare services, and Friday if you are interested in healthy food in general. (And please scroll further down our home page for more about all three stories). Continue reading “February diary”
December Diary
Music, food and friendship are the main themes of our December events. But there is room for stimulating debate too in the Full Council Meeting on Thursday 21 December. Members of Opening Doors are welcome to join a group outing to hear the debate on the proposed tram route from Leith – and the case against replacing Trident.
Please contact Leith Open Space Group if you want to promote your own event. Email us at LeithOpenSpace@btconnect.com
Monday 11 December Winter Party
6.30 – 9.30 pm
Edinburgh Refugee Centre, St George’s West Church, Shandwick Place.
Everyone is welcome to join the annual party where there will be international food and music provided by African Scottish band Diwan, Brazilian group, Dias Quarter, Scottish folk singer Aaron Jones.
Thursday 14th December Polish Market
14:00 – 20:00
Castle Street
The market will feature a range of authentic Polish food, drink and live music. Organised in collaboration with the Scottish Polish Cultural Association.
Saturday 16 December
Friends of Dalmeny Street Park Winter Planting & Litter Pick
Meet in the Park at 9.30am.
Co-ordinator, Lise Bratton says the day starts with the litter-pick until about 11.00 and then everyone repairs to Out of the Blue’s Drill Hall for hot drinks, home-made cakes and cookies. The planting session will start at about 11.30am and is likely to finish around 1pm.
Equipment: all equipment will be provided but remember to dress for the weather!
Thursday December 21 Full Council Meeting
10 am City Chambers
This meeting could be worth finding a seat in the public gallery. Councillors debate the business case for the proposed tram route from Leith to the airport – and Council Leader, Ewan Aitken will raise the temperature further with his opposition to replacing Trident. Opening Doors members are invited to join a group visit to City Chambers.
November diary
From drum workshops to English language classes, from complementary therapies to council meetings, or simply a chance to meet and talk over a cup of tea – here are just a few of the multicultural community activities happening in Edinburgh this month. Please let us know if you want to promote activities open to Leith communities – either here in Leith or elsewhere in the city.
First up: two events for members of Edinburgh’s Polish Community. Continue reading “November diary”