The multicultural event at The Cheese & Grain was hailed a huge success with over 800 local people of all ages and nationalities attending, on Sunday the 14th of October.
Organisers Azeema Caffoor and Lenka Grimes from Young People Frome were overwhelmed at the response and this year’s festival hosted even more countries ranging from Wales to Austria and Mali.
They said, “The community event brought together people from over 25 nationalities who came to share their culture through music, dance, food, information, games, craft activities, singing and storytelling. There was also a display of work produced in workshops at Frome College, Vallis First School and Selwood middle school. These were part of a project to create and design a multilingual welcome sign for each school.
“The event was opened by Jo Berry from ‘Building Bridges for Peace’ who then gave a thought-provoking and emotional talk to a packed room upstairs about conflict resolution.
Performances ranged from Punjabi dance, Romanian classical music with Raluca Vinson on oboe and Keith Harrison-Broninski on piano, and children from Frederick Chopin Polish School in Bath dancing and singing. There was also the opportunity to learn the moves of Punjabi dancing with Avtar Indian dance and Balkan circle and Israeli wedding dancing with Frome Circle Dance band.
“There was a display ‘A snapshot of migrants in the NHS’ showing facts and figures of migrant workers as well as information on migration to Somerset. Biographies of some Frome NHS workers chartered their employment history and their current feelings about the Brexit uncertainties.
“Some of the delicacies on offer included Tibetan dumplings (momos), Greek cheese pie (Tirpitz), Hungarian sausage, Czech potato pancakes ( Bramboraky), Syrian sweet pancakes (Atayef), Italian tiramisu, Polish cake( Babka), Turkish delight and Jewish honey cake. We were also joined by Frome Food Hub who offered English scones with jam and cream.
“Activities included: Japanese origami, Chinese lantern making, Palestinian kites, African bag printing, Thai Kratongs to float on water, Hungarian inventions, Austrian straw stars, Finnish language games, German place names games and Tibetan sound healing.
“Children were delighted to learn how to make Welsh cakes and learn some Welsh words, learn to tie a turban and dress a Saree. In the café children were captivated by the Hans Christian Andersen stories by a Danish national. We were also fortunate to have Frome Twinning Association, Frome Toy Library, Somerset Artworks, Somerset Multicultural Association, Diversity Voice.
“Many people made new friends, learnt new things about other countries, danced, sang and found comfort in realising that there were other people in the town that were also from diverse cultures. Comments from visitors included the following:-
“It was a joyous and thoroughly enjoyable day and great for kids, can’t wait for next year”
“ Lovely to see different cultures and foods of the world and the way people celebrate “
“We met people who said they had met here for the first time last year and are now doing a stall together.”
“We would like to thank our funders Frome Town Council, Mendip District Council, Community Council for Somerset, as well as our volunteers and young trainees.”
If you would like to get involved in future events please contact azeema@fromeactive.org.uk or lenkagrimes@gmail .com
Photos: Celie Nigoumi.
