Join us tomorrow afternoon and enjoy music from around the world, connect and dance with new neighbors and get the scoop on what’s going at the city lab in Bonn-Beuel. Feel free to stop by with family and friends any time between 1 and 8 pm. (See program below.)
A year has passed since Germany opened its borders for thousands of refugees who were stuck in Hungary. “We can do it”, said Chancellor Angela Merkel on August 31 last year in a press conference. More than one million refugees arrived in Germany in 2015, about 428,000 from war-torn Syria.
Many Bonners took up the challenge and welcomed their new neighbors with open arms and a positive can-do attitude. Some of the 3,000 or so refugees who arrived in our city last year became our friends.
We like to celebrate the one-year anniversary with a casual “summer in the city” party featuring wonderful live music, a “free” flea market and book swap, cake and ice cream social, “just for fun” dancing and other creative activities for the whole family.
Because the sharing (of) culture(s) is really cool.
We are thrilled to welcome the Raghsa Dance With Refugees group and Ryan Howland, a new Bonner and amazing musical talent.
The Ragsha dance group was initiated by Sanaz Kamali, a young German-Iranian dance lover. The mixed group meets Saturdays at noon at the Max7 dance school and organized on June 18 a dance flash mob in the city center ahead of World Refugee Day. Starting at 5 pm, they will teach us Dabke and other fun Middle Eastern dance steps.
Ryan Howland is a 17-year old Canadian violist and music student. He recently moved to Germany from Victoria Island, along with his mother Michelle, to study under Viktor Tretyakov and bring his performance to a next level. Ryan will play for us at 4 pm (free of charge). Listen to his performance in spring at a church in Stolberg-Mausbach (near Aachen).
OPEN BORDERS BONNECTIONS SUMMER FEST
WHEN: Sept. 4th, 1 – 8 pm
WHERE: BonnLab, Zingsheimstr. 2, 53225 Bonn-Beuel
1 – 7 pm: “Get Stuff – Give Stuff” Flea Market / International Book Swap
2 – 4 pm: Ice Cream Social, Coffee & Cake (with YoungBonn)
4 – 5 pm: JOY OF MUSIC (free classical concert)
Featuring Ryan Howland on the violin and a group of young international music students (taught by Michelle Howland)
5 – 6 pm: Raghsa Dance with Refugees
Introduction into Dabke and other fun Middle Eastern dances
6 – 8 pm: Music & Dance Jam Session (Iranian & World Music)
Feel free to bring your own instruments, favorite dance music, food & beverages.
Anything left over at the flea market will go to the central donation center for refugees and other charities.
