Beijing arts event casts light on plight of refugees
The United Nations High Commission for Refugees hosted an arts event titled "The Power of Hope" in Beijing on Monday.
At the event, attendees experienced the perils and perseverance of refugees depicted in a 30-minute dramatized adaptation of the book A Hope More Powerful than the Sea, written by Melissa Fleming. The book recounts the true story of a young woman named Doaa Al Zamel, who fled Syria in 2012 during its civil war.
"Stories like Doaa's can help us cut through that desensitization and reach out to others across time and distance, uniting people around the world in empathy to seek solutions to the challenges we face," Fleming, who is also the United Nations under-secretary-general for Global Communications, said via video message. "And while conflict, hate and racism threaten dialogue, art and literature can bring us together, to help us empathize with our fellow human beings and rediscover our common humanity."
Indrika Ratwatte, director of the UNHCR Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific who was visiting China to meet with government counterparts and other key partners on regional refugee issues, praised China for its artistic contributions to the world.
"China has an exceptionally rich culture and history of artistic skill that is appreciated around the world," he said. "Art from around the world is highly appreciated in modern China. Literature, painting, dance and music go beyond languages and numbers to communicate across borders and cultures, creating solidarity and shared understanding."
The show was created and delivered by a talented team of Chinese artists.
Under the overall art direction of renowned director Yin Li, the performance was directed by Zhao Ningyu, adapted by Ou Jiayi and performed by five actors and musicians — Lai Jiayue, Guo Qi, Hu Yixiao, Zhu Jinliang and Qu Hongchen.
The performance ended with a powerful video message by Al Zamel, saying, "We are human beings just like you, seeking the rights and peace that everyone deserves." She also thanked Chinese audiences for their support.
Siddharth Chatterjee, the UN Resident Coordinator to China, highlighted the urgency to act to address forced displacement.
"The clock is ticking to achieve our shared ambitions, the Sustainable Development Goals, by 2030 and to ensure that no one – including refugees – is left behind," he said. "As the UN secretary-general has stressed, humanity is headed for catastrophe if we do not act and act now. Who can't help feeling overwhelmed, panicked and paralyzed in the situation we are facing? Hope is the antidote to helplessness."
In her speech, Olympic gold medalist Yang Yang, a high profile supporter of the UNHCR, highlighted the connection between sports, arts and humanitarianism.
"I think sports, art and humanitarianism have something in common: they all have the power to inspire hope through creativity and action. Refugee stories are not only about loss, they are also about survival, healing and contributing skills and talent to the communities who welcome people who are forced to flee."
In 2022, more than 100 million people were forced to flee their homes worldwide. This year, the situation is worsening with new emergencies and natural disasters compounding protracted crises.
The plight of Syrian refugees topped headlines again following a devastating earthquake in Turkiye and Syria in February. The disaster cast even more of a spotlight on the Syrian refugee crisis, which is in its 12th year, as well as forced displacement beyond its borders.
As crises continue, refugees and people displaced within their own countries are struggling to survive, and assistance is limited.
With events like the UNHCR's sharing real refugee stories through literature and arts, the organization hopes to promote greater understanding among Chinese audiences and help them better connect with refugees. Stories like Al Zamel's remind us that no one chooses to be a refugee, and that with hope and support, people forced to flee can rebuild their lives and thrive.
