Don’t miss ‘Hopefool’ at Increase the Peace Festival on Sunday 7th May
DEED is working in partnership with Vita Nova and Celeste to put on public performances of ‘Hopefool’ to raise awareness of refugee issues locally and there will be a performance at Increase the Peace Festival.
3.30 pm – ‘Hopefool’ – a play by Sharon Coyne
Sharon Coyne’s play for young people and adults explores themes around peace, love and acceptance.
Hopefool examines what it's like to be a refugee and why people find themselves in terrible situations in the quest to have a 'normal life'.
Performed by Celeste, an integrated drama group consisting of members from Vita Nova, those with English as a second language and refugees. The performance will be followed by a post play discussion with the cast.
11.30 am – Meet author Beverley Naidoo
Vita Nova are also hosting this session which will include a reading, discussion and book signing with internationally acclaimed writer Beverley Naidoo
Beverley’s new book Children of The Stone City looks at how some young people live in the shadow of conflict. Come and hear Carnegie-winner Beverley Naidoo read from her novel
Beverley grew up in Johannesburg and joined the resistance to apartheid as a student, ending up exiled in England. Her novels have won international awards including the Carnegie Medal for The Other Side of Truth. Her first book Journey to Jo'burg, originally banned in South Africa, is now a modern classic. Children of the Stone City was one of Big Issue's 'Best of 2022 books.
Hardbacks and Paperbacks copies of Children of the Stone City will be on sale at the event.
About Increase the Peace
Increase the Peace is a Bournemouth community festival, now in its 5th successful year. The idea was born from the work community creative, Claire Armstrong does at Bournemouth & Poole College teaching ESOL to second language learners, including separated children seeking asylum and adult learners. Because of these people’s journeys and perspective they have given her, she decided to create an event to envelope peace and promote inclusivity, where diverse groups from Dorset can connect and enjoy music, spoken word and art. Her main drive is to promote cross-cultural understanding and acceptance of others. Claire truly believes that if we take time to appreciate other human stories then we can reduce conflict and therefore create more peace.
On the day and leading up to the festival, artists, musicians, therapists, local businesses and volunteers involved offer their time and talent to raise money for Hope for Food, Hope & More and The International Care Network (ICN). All 3 charities are local and they see the money donated reaching the hands of those who need it.
The Increase the Peace community believes we should welcome a stranger with an open heart and an open mind, and by working together to stop war and grow communities, we can offer love and kindness that makes a difference. It is through dialogue and building rapport that problems are solved and differences understood.
