Pompey keeper Craig MacGillivray took time out after training this week to back the Journey’s Festival International refugee arts festival.
He was joined by festival presenter Claire Woollard, as well as artists Svetlana Ochkovskaya and Lee Baker, to promoted the event, which is being held in the city from October 19-28.
Svetlana’s digital video Look Up will be shown on the big screen at half-time of today’s match against Fleetwood, while 40 refugees from various groups in the city working with Pompey in the Community are coming to the game.
Organised by ArtReach, the festival takes place annually in the cities of Leicester, Manchester and Portsmouth, exploring the refugee experience through a whole range of free arts activities, including live music, hands-on artist-led workshops, theatre, performance, film, discussion, exhibitions, storytelling, pop-up events and more.
Claire said: “There’s a feast for the senses heading our way as Portsmouth has cooked up an incredible line-up for the third year running.
“Nearly all of the events, exhibitions, workshops, screenings and activities at the festival are free of charge, so there’s no need to look elsewhere for great culture during October half-term holidays, as it will be on our doorstep.”
"There’s a feast for the senses heading our way as Portsmouth has cooked up an incredible line-up for the third year running."
Highlights of the festival include Look Up, a large-scale outdoor exhibition which will be installed on digital screens across the city centre.
The festival will feature animated short screenings for children and documentary screenings, alongside a programme of workshops, discussions and exhibitions around the city.
In addition there is Future Aleppo, an exhibition by a 13-year-old boy who rebuilt his home city in paper models. Future Aleppo has been converted into a virtual reality experience and you can witness both paper and VR installation at University of Portsmouth during the festival.
Journeys Festival International Portsmouth also hosts live graffiti art being created at Portsmouth Cathedral, puppet making workshops at St Mary’s Church and, on Sunday, October 28 at Fratton Community Centre, a large-scale community parade that features work made by local people over the past few months.
“It’s a seriously impressive programme of events that will engage people from all walks of life, but it’s a programme that helps us celebrate our home city like never before,” added Claire.
See all the activities online here or find them on social media by visiting @JourneysFest on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, and using #JourneysPortsTwitter