A West Cumbrian town will host a fun-filled day of free events to celebrate the county’s multicultural community.
Culture Bazaar West will take place at Workington Academy on November 26.
The one-day event, organised by the award-winning Multicultural Cumbria, will bring people from different backgrounds together to celebrate their cultures, offering an eclectic mix of food, music, dance, arts, crafts with performances and workshops from noon to 5pm.
Highlights include Punjabi Roots Academy who will perform and offer Dhol drumming and a Bhangra dance dance workshop – alongside Cumbrian clog and sword dancing, Indian dance and music from Africa and the Caribbean.
Visitors will also be able to sample food from around the world and will also be able to watch international food demonstrations on the day.
Hospice at Home West Cumbria, Eden Valley Hospice and Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland, Pride in Cumbria, Age UK, North West Ambulance Service and Cumbria police are just a few of the organisations who will be on hand to deliver interactive activities for all the family including badge making and arts and crafts workshops.
The majority of performers live and work in Cumbria where eight per cent of the population is from across seven seas – and they are united in their passion to celebrate the region’s rich cultural heritage.
With more than 70 languages spoken in Cumbria Schools and over 80 nationalities living and working in Cumbria, Multicultural Cumbria founder Saj Ghafoor says it’s the ideal time to share food together and make new friends.
Saj’s passion is rooted in her own life story with Cumbria at the heart of it. Her father brought the family to Carlisle in the 1970s when he saw a shop for sale and decided to go for it – knowing nothing about the area.
Culture Bazaar began with 200 visitors coming together at Greystone Community Centre in Carlisle for the first event. This year Saj expects up to 1,000 visitors to Workington’s first Culture Bazaar.
“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.
“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 Cumbria is so diverse.
“We aim to share the arts and the social aspects people miss about their communities and bring it to a wider audience, which helps break barriers down.”
