Cork's Winter Solidarity Dinner helps more than 100 migrants and refugees make new friends
Aamall Aabidah Saifan, Cork Ali The Goodness Solidarity Centre, Picture: (left At Dinner Was At Creedon Winter Held The Right) That To Ballinlough, Cork Ardfallen David And
It was a festive dinner with a difference.
More than 100 guests — young and all, of different nationalities — were in attendance. Maklouba and mutton biryani were among the dishes on offer, while musicians played traditional Irish music, followed by a DJ set.
And for some of those gathered, it was the first opportunity they have had to dine outside of the direct provision centre they live in — and also to enjoy cuisines from home.
Last weekend saw a community hall in Cork City transformed into a Christmas dining hall as migrants, refugees and Irish citizens gathered to share stories of their lives, cuisines from different parts of the world, music, and laughter.
Organised by the Refugee and Migrant Solidarity Ireland (RAMSI) group, the Winter Solidarity Dinner was the second such event in Cork City, with a previous gathering in June, and a music fest in September.
The events are funded by donations made by the public and are also supported by the Cork City Council Small Grant Scheme. The money goes towards covering the transport costs for refugees and asylum seekers travelling from Direct Provision centres as well as cooking ingredients.
For some, the Winter Solidarity Dinner was the first time those living in Direct Provision centres could dine elsewhere, and enjoy cuisines from their native counties — from Palestine to different parts of Africa.
For others, it provided a space to make new friends, with icebreaker games, designed to get people mixing.
Among the attendees were Alina Marinescu, and her three sons. They had previously been living in emergency accommodation for nearly two years after living in a flat in Cork City where human excrement dripped through her ceiling.
On Saturday, she told the she finally found “stability” and had received the keys to her new home for herself and her kids. She told how much she was looking forward to moving into the new space.
Another attendee Shadia, a barrister qualified in Uganda, said the Solidarity Dinner allowed her to help out, meet new people and express her love for food. She moved in 2021 to do a Master's degree in Ireland and initially had “no intention to stay” after receiving her degree.
However, after meeting “amazing people” she decided Ireland would be her home. This country has better opportunities — she is currently training to become a solicitor in Ireland — and far from disliking the rain, she loves our weather.
Mohammad, who works as a surgeon in a hospital in Cork City, said that in the half hour he was at the dinner he had met 10 new people.
“That’s more than I have met in the last year,” he said.
Gloria Zulu, a musician based in Cork, said that the events and organisers “are so welcoming”.
“I get our African taste with our food, I love the community and I feel at home,” she told the . “I feel the warmth of the community here and the people, and I am thankful for the continuous invitation.”
Ms Zulu is also part of the African Queens who perform South African songs acapella and have performed at a number of Solidarity events organised by Ramsi.
Samanta Zina, an organiser for the event, added that these dinners give people in direct provision “possibility and hope”, to make new friends and connections.