Meeras Pavilion

Meeras Pavilion is a large-scale, interactive temporary public artwork co-designed by Rohingya and Australian artists to celebrate Rohingya creativity, culture and existence beyond narratives of victimhood and statelessness. 

The pavilion’s striking design was inspired by imagery that emerged through extensive conversations and collaboration between Rohingya artist, humanitarian organisations and creatives.  

Made from bamboo woven with steel and integrated with high-tech light and sound, the structure features 16 archways that form a canopy over an immersive space. At the end of each archway is a giant taro leaf – the symbol of Rohingya advocacy.

The Pavilion will be on display for two weeks and will host a series of cultural programming co-curated by Sydney’s Rohingya community, including a panel discussion, pop up performances, workshops, photography exhibition and documentary.

Attend one of these free cultural sessions below to learn more about Rohingya culture and increase awareness and visibility of the plight of the Rohingya community. 

Meeras Public Program: a night of storytelling, performance and cultural celebration

Saturday 27 September & Saturday 4 October, 6pm - 7pm

Join us under the bamboo arches of Meeras Pavilion for a night showcasing Rohingya culture and stories including poetry, live music, fashion and talks. Performed by members of the Australian Rohingya Women’s Development Organisation. Free - no registration required.

Wandering: A Rohingya Story: presented by the Australia Global Health Film Festival

Thursday 2 October, 5:30pm - 9:00pm

Wandering: A Rohingya Story is a visually stunning documentary of life inside the world’s largest refugee camp through the voice of Rohingya refugee Kala Miya (Kalam). In 2017, nearly 700,000 Rohingya Muslims fled genocide in Myanmar, turning Bangladesh’s Kutupalong refugee camp into the largest in the world. A moving story and poetic exploration of displacement, survival, and quiet resilience. The film will be followed by an expert panel discussion. Free - registration on Eventbrite required.

Traditional Rohingya handcraft workshops

Saturday 4 October, 3:30pm - 5:00pm

Embroidery and bamboo weaving are deeply embedded in Rohingya cultural life and have been woven into the production of the Meeras Pavilion. Bamboo is traditionally used in Rohingya villages to weave all kinds of things for daily village life while embroidery is used to adorn everyday and special household items. Learn to weave a hand fan using a traditional pattern or learn simple embroidery - bring along a piece of clothing, tablecloth or pillowcase to decorate or collaborate on a large-scale artwork. Workshops are facilitated by Rohingya community craftspeople in collaboration with CAP Meeras Artists. Free - no registration required.

Meeras Pavilion is presented by the City of Sydney as part of Art & About and produced by Amigo and Amigo in partnership with Sydney’s Rohingya communities and advocacy partners.  

Partners involved include – Médecins Sans Frontières, Refugees Council of Australia, Asylum Seekers Resource Centre, Amnesty International Australia and Global Health Alliance of Australia, Australia Rohingya Women’s Development Organisation, Creative Advocacy Partnership, Events Engineering, Lucid Space Studio, Rohingyatographer, Rohingya Maìyafuìnor Collaborative Network, Hampden Park Public School and OTIS. 

Learn more about Meeras Pavilion here.