Photographer Reza (top), performers at last year's Saturday event (bottom)
Photographs by Mark Thiessen/¨NGS (top), Rebecca Hale/¨NGS (bottom)

The United National General Assembly designated June 20, 2000 as World Refugee Day to recognize and celebrate the contribution of refugees throughout the world. Since then, World Refugee Day has become an annual commemoration marked by a variety of events in more than 100 countries. This year, the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, will commemorate World Refugee Day for the sixth time, with the theme of “Hope,” reflecting the courage of refugees in hoping for a better life. In support of this worthwhile cause, National Geographic Live! is offering the following events to the public:

Friday, June 23, 7 p.m.
One World, One Tribe—Reza
In this special appearance, in conjunction with a new National Geographic Museum exhibit One World, One Tribe—Reza, this veteran National Geographic photographer will share intimate stories behind a selection of images from thirty years of work. From Asia to Africa, these photographs witness the torments of war and revolution and express the power of beauty and hope behind human tragedy.

Tickets: $8 (members), $10 (nonmembers); +1 202 857 7700 or click on the order tickets link above. The first 100 people to purchase tickets will be eligible for a drawing for an autographed print of one of Reza’s photographs. Other prints of Reza's work will be available for sale and signing, with proceeds benefitting AINA, a non-profit organization supporting press freedom in Afghanistan.

The National Geographic Museum exhibition One World, One Tribe—Reza can be viewed at National Geographic, 1600 M Street, NW, Washington, D.C., June 20-October 9, 2006.

Saturday, June 24, noon–4 p.m.
World Refugee Day Performances and Marketplace
An afternoon of free music and dance performances, and exhibits by artists and vendors representing refugee cultures. Also featured will be soccer demonstrations, cosponsored by Nike, to raise awareness of the importance of education and sports for youth. Although education and playing sports are considered rights by people in the United States, millions of refugee children around the world are deprived of these rights.

Courtyard Stage
12:15 p.m. Cantare, Latin American music
1:15 p.m. Fan Fan and Friends, Haitian music
2:15 p.m. Cheick Hamala-Diabate and the Manding Cultural Ensemble, West African (Mali) griot and with song, dance and drumming
3:15 p.m. Memory of African Culture, West African music and dance

Indoor Stage
12:15 p.m. Havana Select, Cuban singing and drumming
1:15 p.m. El Teatro de Danza Contemporanea de El Salvador, Central American modern dance troupe
2:15 p.m. Samputu and Ingeli, Rwandan dance and music
3:15 p.m. Dana Tai Soon Burgess & Co., pan-Asian American dance

Friday, July 7, noon-2 p.m.
Enjoy screenings of three films about Reza and his work: "Reza: Shooting Back," "Into the Forbidden Zone," and "AINA: A Human Adventure." Free, no tickets required!

The Grosvenor Auditorium National Geographic Society Headquarters 1600 M Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20036 +1 202 857 7700

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