Celebrate the strong connections among plants, food and culture in honor of World Refugee Day! Chefs from Friends of Refugees mix up our weekend cooking demonstrations with international recipes alongside other activities that highlight Atlanta’s diverse refugee communities and foodways.
Outdoor Kitchen Cooking Demonstrations + Tastings
Watch and learn as chefs from the Friends of Refugees prepare international recipes in the Outdoor Kitchen, then try a small sample.*
• 10:30 a.m. – Afghan Mantu recipe
• 11:30 a.m. – Ethiopian Collard Greens recipe
• 12:30 p.m. – Burmese Tea Leaf Salad recipe
• 1:30 p.m. – Ethiopian Lentils recipe
*while supplies last
Live Music on the Great Lawn
Enjoy a high-energy West African drumming performance by Egbe Sekere of Atlanta at noon on the Great Lawn!
Egbe Sekere of Atlanta is the brainchild of Iyanifa Awodola Oriyomi, “Ma’Yae”, best known as the Sekere Woman of Atlanta. Sekere (Shay-ka-ray) is an African hand percussive instrument made from a gourd strung with beads, nuts, shells or seeds. Today, Sekeres are played in bands, drum circles, parades, choirs, worship celebrations, live concerts and festivals worldwide. (CHEKERE/SHEKERE) Egbe Sekere of Atlanta is dedicated to the celebration of life and preservation of cultural traditions among all people from the Diaspora. The music of the Sekere is known to have a positive, healing effect and it is often used for praise and celebration throughout the world. Sekeres has a history, a language and voice in the genres of conga, agogo bell, talking drum and djundjun families found in West Africa and the Caribbean Islands. Egbe Sekere of Atlanta seeks to create great Sekere music as a tool of enlightenment to unify, then solidify our communities. Egbe Sekere of Atlanta is a call for the local and global world to pay attention and take action to keep the arts in our educational systems, encouraging humanity to live in the positive realm of tomorrow by joining together today in the spirit of peace, love and life.
Discovery Stations
Stroll the Garden and visit discovery stations from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Talk with Friends of Refugees staff and the International Rescue Committee Youth Food Justice Interns to learn about the interesting work they do. Visit the Edible Garden to learn about some ways plants are used in international cuisines. Enjoy a treat by Baran Kabab alongside an iced tea sample, and listen to music from Clarkston Strings High School Small Group Orchestra on the Lanier Terrace.
Hosted in partnership with Friends of Refugees.