Welcome to the AZC – A story about waiting, hope and resilience in a broken system - Amsterdam A Beautiful Mess 20:00 - 21:30

Welcome to the AZC is a co-creation project with and by young adults living in AZCs, from Syria, Turkey, Afghanistan and Yemen; and Palestinian director Alaa Shehada (known for the play The Horse of Jenin) and Syrian actor Yazan al Hakim. The cast consists of non-professional actors playing scenes that reflect their real lives.

This play was created through incredible will power, bundling of energy, hope and solidarity within the many barriers and constraints of a broken migration and asylum system.

SAWA Collective is a community of young adults in asylum procedure. We are building a community where young people on the move are not patronised, romanticised or reduced to their refugee stories, but recognised as individuals with their own talents, dreams and voices. Their stories and experiences often remain hidden behind the closed doors of the AZC. With this performance, we give these stories a stage and at the same time hold up a mirror to Dutch society

About Refugee Welcome Week

Refugee Welcome Week NL 2026 is a refugee-led programme bringing together young refugees and newcomers across four Dutch cities. Over two weeks, participants take the lead as performers, curators, hosts, producers, and storytellers, creating spaces of connection through art, discussion, film, music, food, and community action. Refugee Welcome Week NL is part of the wider international Refugee Week movement and is organised in close partnership with Refugee Week UK. Explore the full programme at refugeewelcomeweek.nl.