Refugees welcome: Belfast comes together to support new arrivals to Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland may have been hitting the headlines as an unwelcome places for refugees over the past year, but in Belfast at the weekend, a different story was being told.
A picnic was held at Ulidia Playing Fields in south Belfast on Saturday to make asylum seekers and refugees feel more welcome in the city, and was opened by Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Tracy Kelly.
Organised by Belfast City of Sanctuary and now in its ninth year, the event also showcases the city's growing diversity with activities, information stalls, drop-in events and a community picnic.
There was dancing, children played football and heard stories and a diverse range of food and live music was on display.
The theme this year for Refugee Week is 'Community as a Superpower' inviting the public to think about the everyday ways people come together to support one other, especially in tough times.
Also supporting the event were Belfast City Council, the PSNI, the Housing Executive, Diverse Youth, Ballynafeigh Community Development Association and many others.
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