A celebration of culture from around the world will take place in Carlisle later the year.
Multicultural Cumbria has announced the return of its award-winning Culture Bazaar after a two-year break due to COVID-19.
The two-day event aims to bring people from different backgrounds together to celebrate their cultures. Culture Bazaar will also be a chance for people to experience the food, dance, music and art of people who may not have been born in Cumbria but call Carlisle home.
The event in 2020 saw more than 4,000 people flocked to Richard Rose Central Academy for a weekend of fun and culture.
Now Multicultural Cumbria is gearing up for the return of the Culture Bazaar on April 22 and 23 at Carlisle College.
Saj Ghafoor OBE brought Culture Bazaar to Carlisle in 2007 after she and her husband, Abdul opened their Asian grocery store in 2005.
She said: “We did not expect the ethnic mix of people living in Carlisle. The first thing customers would ask was if we knew anyone from their country. I ended up having a little red book where I started writing their name, number and country of heritage and matching them up with any other customers that also wanted a friend.”
Culture Bazaar was born shortly after and began with 200 visitors coming together at Greystone Community Centre for the first bazaar. This year Saj expects nearly 5,000 visitors to an event that has grown in popularity year after year.
It is also the weekend of the Islamic Eid-ul-fitr celebrations following the holy month of fasting.
“People always comment on the great atmosphere,” said Saj. “The ethnic communities engage by performing dances, singing, music and making food so people can try authentic home cooking from all the continents.”
“The Culture Bazaar is a big family party and everyone is welcome. In 2020 more than 50 nationalities were involved and it seems to be a surprise to everyone that Carlisle is so diverse.
“We aim to share the arts and the social aspects people miss about their communities and bring it to the wider city, which helps break barriers down.”
