A group of asylum-seeking and refugee musicians from Glasgow have taken centre stage at COP26.
Musicians in Exile is a group based across the river from COP26in the city’s Govan district, which has long served as a home to varied migrant communities.
Eight members – Iranians Ghorbani and Milad Gharibi, Zimbabwean Eyve Madyise, Chile native Jose Rojas, Midya Jan from Syria, Angaddeep and Param Singh Vig from India/Afghanistan and Scotsman Calum Ingram – performed music from their homelands as well as original compositions created for COP26.
These deal with the impacts of climate change on refugees and vulnerable communities around the world and call out a warning to the global leaders attending the UN talks.
Founded in 2018, the group provides free instruments, rehearsal space, travel expenses and gigs to Scotland’s most vulnerable musicians. Shortlisted for this year’s European, and The Herald, Diversity Awards, a project of The Glasgow Barons, Govan’s orchestra.