Refugee Week 2026 'Simple Acts' campaign uses Quentin's illustrations
Friday 12th June 2026
Refugee Week is the world’s largest arts and culture festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary. Established in the UK in 1998, Refugee Week takes place every year around World Refugee Day (20th June) and has grown into a global movement with over 2 million participants, across over 20 countries.
In the 75th anniversary year of the Refugee Convention, the charity's annual festival for 2026 is using Quentin's illustrations, created in 2006 to brighten a London hospital, to encourage engagement in the campaign. With broad appeal spanning generations, Quentin's drawings bring people together to promote kindness, togetherness, and community.
In the 75th anniversary year of the Refugee Convention, the charity's annual festival for 2026 is using Quentin's illustrations, created in 2006 to brighten a London hospital, to encourage engagement in the campaign. With broad appeal spanning generations, Quentin's drawings bring people together to promote kindness, togetherness, and community.
Running from 15–21 June 2026, Refugee Week invites individuals, and organisations such as schools, libraries, arts venues, sports clubs and workplaces to hold or join local events. Quentin's drawings are at the centre of these activities with a range of postcards, posters and other items for participants to use. Each illustration reflects Refugee Week Simple Acts - a series of nine simple, everyday actions anyone can do to stand in solidarity with refugees and help build more welcoming communities. The Simple Acts include activities such as Share Food & Stories, Have a Courageous Conversation, or Get Drawing and Painting - small steps that can create big change. A tenth illustration responds to this year’s Refugee Week theme of Courage.
The 2026 festival, coordinated by Counterpoints Arts, builds on the success of last year's partnership with Tove Jansson’s Moomin character campaign, where 2.3 million people took part at over 15,000 events and activities across the UK, including over 1,000 schools, 500 libraries and 100 local authorities - with activities ranging from art workshops, to football matches, to meals and community film screenings.
Lara Deffense, Coordinator of Refugee Week commented,
“Quentin Blake’s illustrations have a rare ability to speak across generations with warmth, joy and humanity. We are incredibly excited to be using Quentin Blake’s illustrations for this year’s Refugee Week and Simple Acts campaign, especially in a year that marks 75 years of the Refugee Convention. His drawings capture exactly what this year’s theme, Courage, is about - showing that courage doesn’t only live in big, bold actions, but in everyday moments, and that our communities are strengthened when we choose kindness and choose to welcome.”
Almir Koldzic, Director, Counterpoints Arts (coordinators of Refugee Week) added,
“Refugee Week is about creating the conditions for connection - bringing people together through culture, creativity and shared experiences. At a time when fear and division dominate public discourse, Refugee Week offers a powerful alternative: spaces where people can meet, listen and build relationships. The impact is felt not just during the week itself, but in the lasting networks, partnerships and sense of belonging that continue long after.”
Find out more about Refugee Week's work and activities on their website at https://refugeeweek.org/about/ where you can also buy a selection of merchandise featuring Quentin's designs.
Find out more about Refugee Week's work and activities on their website at https://refugeeweek.org/about/ where you can also buy a selection of merchandise featuring Quentin's designs.