(From Exile to Integration 1)
A million people died – and a million or more fled the hunger in their homeland. It was proportionately the most destructive famine in history. How were the refugees received here? A free Refugee Week event.
The Irish Potato Famine of the 1840s saw one million people starve to death – and an equal or greater number flee overseas on the aptly named coffin ships. This free Refugee Week event on Monday 14th June examines the causes of the famine, and how refugees were treated when they sought sanctuary in Britain.

The Great Hunger – an Gorta Mór – was catastrophic at the time and steadily more controversial as time went by. Were the million deaths simply an act of God, or were they a form of genocide? Was Britain a caring and long-suffering parent, or a greedy and self-righteous colonial bully? The Flight from Famine examines these extreme positions, and asks how Britain’s relationship to Ireland affected the reception these refugees from hunger met. The evening will use documentary, song, poetry and debate to explore a topic which is central to Irish experience, but increasingly forgotten on this side of the Irish Sea. We will ask what resonances remain for the famines of today?

The evening is part of our Refugee Week programme of events, and is the 1st in a series of events during the week entitled "From Exile to Integration".

For bookings and more information, contact 0117 924 4512 or info@pieriancentre.com or go to www.pieriancentre.com.

The Flight from Famine takes place at the Pierian Centre, 27 Portland Square, St Pauls, Bristol BS2 8SA. It's also a good chance to see the Celebrating Sanctuary exhibition – 4 floors of artwork by and about refugees and asylum seekers – free!