Cumbrian businesses supporting Carlisle’s Culture Bazaar say it helps boost the county and workforce.
The free two-day programme of arts and cultural events will be staged this weekend (FEB 15 – 16) and celebrates diversity.
Highlights include Romani storytelling, an interactive fairground exhibition, food stalls such as Walaa’s Syrian Kitchen and Egyptian koshary street food, ethnic jewellery, Arabian hair accessories, henna, Japanese origami workshops and Indian dance.
Carlisle law firm Wragg Mark-Bell is a sponsor of Culture Bazaar 2020.
Solicitor Alex McAll, who is an immigration law specialist, said: “The Culture Bazaar is a wonderful event which brings people from all our communities together and it is a really fun day out for families too.
“It is also a great opportunity for businesses to meet with local people and give young people an insight into what we do.
“Diversity enriches our workforce and the culture of the county and it helps us to be better businesses.”
Story Contracting is also a sponsor. Marie Whitehead, marketing and communications manager, said: “Research shows that equality, diversity and inclusion make businesses more successful. It builds reputation and generates loyalty and gives a business more creativity.
“It includes age, gender, different backgrounds, people with long term disabilities – everyone can bring something different.”
Story Contracting will be running an engineering activity for youngsters giving them the chance to build a bridge.
“A lot of young kids attend the Bazaar and they can come and talk to us about apprenticeships and training schemes in a relaxed environment,’ said Marie. “It was a good weekend last year, I’m looking forward to it.”
Saj Ghafoor, chief officer of Multicultural Cumbria which runs the event, says she is hoping for 5,000 visitors this year.
“We extended from one day to two days because it was so busy, and we could probably go up to three days,” she said.
“We have a number of local businesses supporting us and it is great that this is growing because they have such an important role to play in the community.”
Culture Bazaar 2020 takes place at Richard Rose Central Academy, Carlisle, on Saturday February 15 and Sunday February 16 between 11 and 5.30pm.
