Refugees From The Sea: Narratives Past and Present

Overview

Panel conversation and pop-up bookshop on boat crossings, migration and sea rescue, from historical and European perspectives to present day

Boat crossings have become one of the most politically charged issues in contemporary Britain. It is a symbol through which anger, fear and division are both expressed and exploited by political groups and media alike. At this event we look beyond the headlines to explore the stories we tell about boat crossings — who tells these stories, how they are framed, and what is at stake when they are told.

PANEL

Our panel brings together three remarkable voices: Seán Binder, a lawyer, human rights activist, and ex-civilian rescue coordinator who was criminalised for his humanitarian work in Greece and is due to return to trial in December; Chi Thai, an award-winning filmmaker and author whose work has been shaped by her experiences as a boat refugee from the Vietnam War; and Charly Wai Feldman, an award-winning documentary filmmaker who has covered complex current affairs including migration and displacement.

CONVERSATION

Leaning on the personal and professional insights of our panel, we will explore how stories about boat crossings, migration and sea rescue have evolved, from a historical and wider European perspective through to the present day. Together we will discover how storytelling can cut through polarised rhetoric and bring us back to the human truths at the heart of these crossings.

EVENING FORMAT

This event will consist of a panel conversation followed by audience Q&A. After the event there will be a drinks reception and the opportunity for book signings with panelist Chi Thai. There will also be a pop-up bookshop with relevant recommended books at the event. (Bring a totebag!) There is an option to pre-order books, please visit https://www.juniperbythesea.com/refugees

FUNDRAISING

Thanks to the support from MilkTea Films, 100% of the funds raised from ticket sales (excluding eventbrite booking fee), alongside margins from book sales, will be donated to Free Humanitarians, a campaign group that supports the legal fees of Seán Binder and over twenty other aid volunteers who were arrested and charged for humanitarian work in Greece in 2018. They are due to return to Greece for trial in December 2025.

You can find out more about Seán's trial at https://www.freehumanitarians.org and https://www.amnesty.org.uk/press-releases/greece-prosecution-appeal-prolongs-ordeal-sean-binder-and-sarah-mardini

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