From its HQ inside Oona Bar in the heart of Berlin-Neukölln, Refuge Worldwide — Refuge for friends—blasts the airways with a sound that amplifies the voices of those who are all too often spoken over. Born from people coming together showing solidarity for refugees, the station has blossomed into something far greater than either of its founders could have ever imagined. Refuge has grown to become a radio station, community space, educational platform, party series, and much more.
As its name might suggest, Refuge has been a safe haven for marginalized groups in the German capital and abroad. In 2015, Germany faced an unprecedented arrival of newcomers fleeing violence. Seeing a need for action, Glasgow-born community organizer and DJ George Patrick tapped into his own community—Berlin’s nightlife scene—to lend a hand to the influx of new Berliners. In 2021, he joined forces with British-Nigerian DJ and record label owner Richard Akingbehin, and established the Refuge Worldwide radio station that same year. Since the beginning, Refuge has leaned into the city’s strong tradition of community-built creative spaces and built a home with the help of a diverse coalition of like-minded collectives, radio stations, and activists. “Berlin is a perfect example of a city at the intersection of music and politics, with such a rich recent history. There are strong values underpinning a lot of what happens within this city, and we are grateful to contribute something to that.”
As a radio station, their set-up is straightforward. Streaming 24/7, they hit the airwaves with a range of genres, styles, systems, and sounds. Hip hop, new wave, reggae, house, and ambient all make their way into the ears of their listeners. However, these genres constitute only a fraction of the extensive music collection, and the eclectic mix of their programming reflects the diversity of their audience. Apart from live-streaming radio shows, the concept also incorporates engaging…
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