Beyond Skin

17/06/2026

We wish we could share all the smiles with all of you who share our sentiment, all you need is love.

Pictured some of our wonderful creative souls who along with other volunteers brought much needed joy today for families seeking sanctuary.

A private event for refugee week with music, improv singing and dancing, and sharing food together.
Not a perfect remedy for all the hate on our streets but a moment when kindness prevailed, love was in the air and loads of smiles.. ❤️

16/06/2026

"There was a bright light
A shattering of shop windows
The bomb in the baby carriage
was wired to the radio"

Beyond Skin
Music collaboration
Make Music Day 21 June
Belfast City of Music

Make Music Day UK
Music Connections

16/06/2026

16th June is recognised as Day of the African Child.

Here is a message from our ambassador, musician, producer and child's rights activist Smack Jay Zambia

SJ has worked both extensively in Zambia and Northern Ireland using music to improve the wellbeing of children.
His lobbying efforts resulted in the landmark Children's Code Act passed by Zambia's parliament, which legally codifies children's rights to health care, parental care, survival, and education.

Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People
Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission
Northern Ireland Zambian Association

16/06/2026

Yesterday students at St Patrick's College, Ballymena met with Afghan artist Alina who shared her story and the immense challenges women and girls have in Afghanistan under the regime.

We also showed exported art by a young woman still living in fear in Afghanistan we are helping.

With also a ban by the regime on music, art,, dance and girls going to school, in some ways it feels a small victory against the regime when Alina is invited into a classroom to share her art and story.

We work with many women from different countries who would like to come to your school to share their story through their artform.

Contact us if interested [email protected]

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council Arts Council of Northern Ireland Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission Amnesty International Northern Ireland Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People WomenEd Leaders

15/06/2026

We started working with the Belfast Bands Forum last year and it has been a wonderful journey together with our diversity of musicians.
This well produced documentary challenges the common stereotypes around these professional musicians.

The story of Belfast Bands and all that goes on behind the beat. ...

15/06/2026

We where delighted to welcome back to Belfast our friend Olivier Urbain, director of MOMRI - Min-On Music Research Institute Japan.
Joining him a group of Music in Peacebuilding researchers from around the world working on a research project with Queen's University Belfast

The group got some time to meet some of our team, Alina, Behnaz & Risa.
Alina and Behnaz sharing their experience coming from Afghanistan and Iran.

A huge thank you to Stephen at Seamus Heaney Centre at Queen's for hosting the gathering.

Also thank you to our friends at ibis Belfast City Centre for taking good care of our guests.

Fiona McGowan at Queen's University for helping to organise the visit.

Beyond Skin collaborated with MOMRI on a music project with Integrated College Glengormley and C&S Music School Japan back in 2020

Pictured also ICG teacher Gary Coey with Olivier and Darren (Beyond Skin)

Music video and documentary links
www.beyondskin.net/japan

14/06/2026

Finding Voice Conference Queen's University Belfast
Women, Gendered Violence & Pathways To Peace.

Finding Voice is a research-led platform and knowledge exchange hub that brings participatory singing, creative ethnography, peacebuilding, ethnomusicological practice and public engagement into dialogue to explore how voice becomes possible in spaces shaped by conflict, gendered violence, difference, displacement and the longing to belong.

The key note speaker was Dr Yalda Yazdani:
The Politics of the Female Voice, Music, Censorship, and Transnational Identity in Iran and Afghanistan

Special thanks to Marcella Walsh for curating the conference.

12/06/2026

"Brighter Days" performed by Rwanda Shaw

Song written by Rwanda Shaw & Jessica Hammond
Audio Production Matty Graham
Recorded at Black Studios
Film Production Darren Hill
Curated by Beyond Skin and supported by Community Relations Council Arts Council of Northern Ireland

STOP RACISM

Music Connections Belfast Music Community Arts Partnership Music Creators Network United Against Racism Belfast Anaka Women's Collective Amnesty International Northern Ireland No One Left Behind - PPR

11/06/2026

How about some good news?

We are delighted to announce that Afghan artist Soraya Hossaini will be performing alongside musicians from Ireland, Iran and Syria at the Persian, Kurdish, Celtic Connection Concert Fleadh Cheoil Belfast City of Music.
Tickets link for the concert in comments and full line up 👇

Soraya will also be a guest as part of South Asian Heritage Month event in Belfast.
Soraya's visit is in partnership with Artistic Freedom Initiative

Born in Tehran, Soraya Hossaini is a remarkable Afghan singer, musician, and fashion designer whose work transcends boundaries of art, culture, and advocacy. As an Afghan refugee and female artist navigating systemic discrimination in both Iran and Afghanistan, Soraya’s journey is a testament to resilience, courage, and creative brilliance.

In 2017, she made her first return to Afghanistan as a member of Arikayn, the pioneering Hazara rock band formed by the Afghan refugees in Iran. The band’s groundbreaking performances in Kabul and Bamiyan were immortalized in the acclaimed documentary The Forbidden Strings.

Undeterred, Soraya has pivoted her creativity into fashion, founding Surryhouse, a brand celebrating Afghan craftsmanship and textiles. Through this initiative, she amplifies her cultural heritage, empowering others while expanding her artistic research.

As Soraya navigates the increasing challenges for Afghan women under the Taliban and Afghan refugees in Iran, her unwavering commitment to art and advocacy remains inspiring. her story continues to resonate as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of art in the face of adversity.

Three Months after Kabul fell to the Taliban and music was banned; Belfast was awarded UNESCO City of Music status. Women musicians in Iran have also restriction's forced on them by the regime. Soraya, Sara and Nasim (Iran) presence at the festival is a voice for women silenced in Afghanistan and Iran.

Persian, Kurdish, Celtic Connection Concert in 2024 sold out fast, so please be quick to book for this one

Comhaltas Music Connections The Duncairn Culture Belfast Alghochak Amnesty International Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission
Community Arts Partnership Arts Council of Northern Ireland Women in Media Belfast Belfast Asian Women's Academy BAWA