Housing Executive funds Belfast’s multi-cultural Festival of the River
Tastes, sights and sounds from across the globe were celebrated at the Festival of the River on Belfast’s Lagan walkway on Sunday, August 7, thanks to funding from the Housing Executive.
A £5,000 Community Cohesion grant helped support a variety of multicultural activities, which were enjoyed by thousands of visitors.
Festival of the River - Féile na hAbhann - is based around the river Lagan and forms part of a week of community events supported by Belfast City Council and Féile an Phobail.
Amanda Ashe, the Housing Executive’s Good Relations Officer for South and East Belfast, said: “Community Cohesion involves developing strong, positive relationships between people from different backgrounds in the workplace, in schools and within neighbourhoods.
“This festival was a tremendous success and we were delighted to fund activities in the arts and music zone, to improve multi-culturalism in our city.
“With so much to see and do, it was a real feast for the senses, bringing art and music from many different and exotic parts of the world.
“There were drummers from China and Mexico, music from across Africa, food from Sudan, henna art, Chinese and Polish arts and crafts, Brazilian, Arabic and Indian dance - something for everyone to enjoy, young and old.
Lisa Stitt, Housing Executive team leader, said: “It was wonderful to see so many nationalities from all corners of the earth having fun, sharing laughter and joining together in harmony.”
Konrad Pawlaszek, an organiser from Féile na hAbhann, said: “The money we received from the Housing Executive enabled us to grow the cultural diversity element of the festival.
“It allowed us to add artists and acts from cultures all around the world living in Belfast and bring that culture to the festival.
“The festival gives people the opportunity to engage and try something new and develop key friendships and partnerships between established communities and newcomers.”