Fleeing to Safety: A photo exhibition

To mark World Refugee Day 2022, the UNHCR Country Office in Cyprus and Universitas Foundation present the photographic exhibition Fleeing to Safety by Sebastian Rich.

The exhibition launch, curated by Stefanos Kouratzis, takes place on 20 June 2022 at 19.00 hours at Kastelliotissa, the historic building situated within the walled city of Nicosia, opposite Paphos Gate.

It will remain open until Friday, 24 June (included).  Opening hours are from 10:00 – 20:00 hours.

Visitors are invited to explore the photos of refugees, asylum-seekers and other forcibly displaced persons captured by Sebastian Rich in Cyprus and worldwide.

During his career, Sebastian Rich has photographed most humanitarian crises caused by war and conflict globally, shedding light on refugees’ lives, pain and suffering, and dreams and hopes.

“The personal stories and portraits featured in the exhibition are a stark reminder that every person has the right to seek safety– whoever they are, wherever they come from, and whenever they are forced to flee.

“More than 100 million children, women and men are forced to flee conflict, violence, human rights violations, and persecution worldwide.

“Therefore, it is important to address and resolve the underlying causes that force innocent people to flee their homes.

“Meanwhile, it is equally important to protect people forced to flee and reaffirm their right to seek asylum with safe access, respect and dignity, said the UNHCR.

World Refugee Day

Every year on 20 June, the world marks World Refugee Day to honour the strength and courage of people forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution.

This year, the focus is on the right to seek safety.

World Refugee Day is an occasion to build empathy and understanding for the plight of all those who are forced to flee and to recognise their resilience in rebuilding their lives.

International days like World Refugee Day help to focus global attention on the plight of those fleeing conflict or persecution.