More countries join Multicultural Frome event

MULTICULTURAL Frome event returns to the Cheese & Grain on Sunday 14th October in celebration of the many different rich and diverse cultures of Frome. 

“From 12pm to 3pm There will be dancing, singing, music, crafts, stories, displays, national costumes, and plenty of food to try! Come and have a go at Balkan Circle dancing, Indian folk dancing or turban tying. There will be a toddler corner and plenty of kids’ activities; African bag printing, Thai Kratongs, Austrian straw stars, calligraphy and origami, henna, kite-making and more.

“It’s a fun, friendly, free entry community event organised by the charity Young People Frome.

“There are over 45 languages spoken in Frome and so many interesting traditions, customs and ways of doing things to celebrate and discover.

“This year the event welcomes Jo Berry from Building Bridges for  Peace. She will be opening the event and will also be giving a talk about her important work. 

“On October 12th 1984 Jo’s father, Sir Anthony Berry and four others were killed in the bombing of the Grand Hotel, Brighton, as they attended the Conservative Party conference. Jo made a personal decision just two days later, to bring something positive out of this emotionally-shattering trauma and to try and understand those who had killed him. She chose to give up blame and revenge, instead taking responsibility for her pain and feelings, transforming them into passion for peace.” 

She says, “The journey of healing began with my intention and I trusted that life would then bring me the opportunities to heal and grow. Two months later I randomly shared a taxi with a young Irish man whose brother had been in the IRA and had been killed by a British soldier. We should have been enemies, but instead we talked about a world where peace was possible and where there were no enemies. As I left the taxi, I had a flash of inspiration, this was one way I could make a difference, I could build a bridge across the divide”

Jo has recently spoken at the United Nations’ interagency framework team for preventive action and is a founder member of the international organisation set up by Google ideas ‘Against Violent Extremism’ (AVE), a global network of former extremists and survivors of extremism, dedicated to steering young people away from violence. She has been awarded Visiting Fellow of the Institute of Democracy and Conflict Transformation at the University of Essex.

Jo’s talk will take place at 12.45pm upstairs at The Cheese & Grain. The talk is free, but donations to her charity are appreciated.

If you want to find out more about the event or you would like to be involved, it’s still not too late to contact azeema@frome active.org.uk