Orio marked International Refugee Day for the first time on June 20th, uniting festivities and advocacy in the town's main square. The event was organized by Guerara Oriok and Orio-Palestina.
The associations Zaporeak, Harrera Sareak, and Ukraina-Euskadi set up information booths. Children had the opportunity to create drawings and badges with the help of Gukaren, and tea was available in a traditional tent set up for the occasion. The streets were enlivened before lunch by the Orio Music Band, the choirs Salatxo and Eresmin, and the Orio Trikiti Group.
At precisely noon, a Sahrawi refugee living in Orio shared their testimony. They expressed a desire for the day of unity to arrive, not to celebrate Refugee Day, "but to celebrate that we live in a world without refugees." They emphasized that in such a world, "every human being will be able to live with security and dignity in their own territory."
The organizers also remembered "every child whose childhood has been marked by war, every mother fighting to protect her family in difficult situations, every father who has lost their home or dwelling, and every young person who, despite great challenges, strives to build a better future."
They stated that the true day of celebration will be "the day when freedom, justice, and peace are real rights accessible to all."
The organizers expressed satisfaction with the reception the event received among stakeholders, as well as with the testimonies shared during the week's talks.
