Southampton’s diverse cultural heritage will be celebrated this weekend.
July 2026 marks 75 years since the United Nations Refugee Convention was signed in 1951, defining what it means to be a refugee and how countries like the UK should offer sanctuary to those fleeing fear, conflict or persecution.
However Southampton has been a city that offers sanctuary for hundreds of years, a port city that has welcomed people here be that temporarily or permanently when they have needed a safe place to go.
From the Huguenots to the Basque children to those in Southampton today from places such as Afghanistan, Hong Kong and Ukraine, the city has a proud tradition of welcome.
This heritage will be celebrated on Sunday 12th July, with a Unity in the Community – Refugee Celebration March.
The event is being held to celebrate the courage and resilience of refugees in Southampton, past, present and looking to the future.
Participants are invited to gather next to the fountain outside Southampton Central Library (Commercial Road) at 12pm for some short speeches, before setting off at 12:30pm to walk on a wheelchair accessible route through the town and culminating in Mayflower Park.
They invite attendees to wear their own national costume, to bring banners or placards to demonstrate that refugees are welcome as well as musical instruments – the march is a celebration and the organisers are keen for it to feel like one.
In a statement on social media the organisers Southampton Stand Up To Racism said: “We recognise that over the last twelve months, those seeking sanctuary in Southampton have been subject to hate and protest but we are coming together to say that Refugees are Welcome here, that Southampton is a City of Sanctuary and that we are proud to be a city that has always welcomed those in need.”
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