Refugee Week - How Lives Are Changed By War

11am - 11.40am - The day begins with a screening of Arek, telling the story of Arek Hersh MBE, a Holocaust survivor whose life was forever changed by the events of World War II. Displaced at a young age, Arek’s journey is one of survival, resilience, and reflection. Following the screening, there will be an opportunity to meet Arek in the café and have his book signed, offering a rare chance to connect personally with his story.1.30pm - 3.30pm How NOT to Flee a War is a gripping first-hand talk by Ukrainian journalist Maria Romanenko, co-presented with her partner Jez Myers. Together, they recount their experience escaping Kyiv as Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. What begins as a surreal morning quickly turns into a desperate and uncertain journey. Through personal storytelling and images from their escape, Maria and Jez bring to life the chaos of the first days of invasion, from gridlocked roads and exhaustion to confusion, fear, and the strain on borders. Told with honesty and moments of dark humour, their story offers both an intimate account of survival and a wider reflection on displacement, resilience, and the realities of fleeing a warzone.