Festival of Culture at the Forum - A stiltwalker entertains the crowds - Photo: David Bale
Multi-cultural Norwich celebrated at the Forum
David Bale
Sunday, September 16, 2012
2:39 PM
Refugees and immigrants, from the Strangers in the 16th century to the East Europeans in recent years, have always been welcomed to Norwich, and an annual celebration of the multi-cultural city was held at the Forum today.
Each year the Festival of Culture provides a focus through which Norwich Mind promotes, challenges and develops an understanding of multi-culturalism, equality, and diversity in the city.
And today’s event was a chance for the estimated one in 10 people in Norwich who came from abroad to show everyone else what they bring to the community.
Paola Colombo, who works for Norwich Mind as an inclusion officer, said: “This is the eighth festival that we’ve done but the first one at the Forum. The idea is to show the people of Norwich how diverse the city has become, and to take pride in it.”
She said that about 11pc of the city’s residents came from overseas, with about 28 different languages spoken in the city.
Among the communities represented was the Bulgarian, which comprises about 1000 people in Norfolk, according to Galya Clark, from Wymondham.
She said: “Many Bulgarians have been in the area more than five years and we have more than 100 members on our Facebook page.”
Visitors to a Bulgarian stall at the Forum were able to sample some delicious food including lukum, a type of Turkish delight, a Bulgarian white cheese called sirene, and pitka, a home-made bread. All of these foods are available from a new Bulgarian shop in Dereham Road, Norwich.
Visitors were also entertained by Norwich Malayalees, traditional dance from South India, whose members included Dana John and Alisha Kallarackal, who both live in Norwich.
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9 comments
Joanna , surprised you have not got repetitive strain injury with all your posting.
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LARSON.E. WHIPSNADE
Saturday, September 22, 2012
I'm glad I spotted this LEW as incidentally I have not been on here much and have certainly not been posting comments, you are both a delusional and audacious man who seems fixated on me. Seek help.
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John L Norton
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
*** "Moderator , how about limiting J Norton to one login account. One man , one login . Ban multiple accounts ".*** A reasonable post , but Bookworm+Norton has reported it . Why ? Are you actually denying you are posting under at least 6 other account logins. You know it , i know it , even the moderator knows it now .
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LARSON.E. WHIPSNADE
Monday, September 17, 2012
More than 1 in 10 Norwich people born abroad. No problem if this had been predicted and the necessary investment made in schools, healthcare and social housing to take the extra 20,000 peolpe. Yet, the UK just muddles through with no consensus or control of its destiny.
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oldowl
Monday, September 17, 2012
i agree--too many brain washing events on at the forum.pity it is not just a library ---with a massive empty vestibule.
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bookworm
Monday, September 17, 2012
Is it true that next month the forum are hosting a "Born n Bred in Norwich" celebration ? I hear the council will be offering help to local natives, helping them with housing, jobs and offering free laptops to those willing to go to college - Or was i dreaming ?
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pubmandave
Monday, September 17, 2012
The natives are getting restless, this is why in-yer-face brainwashing propaganda stunts, like this one are trotted out every few months. All's good for those on the bandwagon of pointless jobs.... inclusion officers etc,etc...etc!!
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nrg
Sunday, September 16, 2012
to last poster--of course not!!!!
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bookworm
Sunday, September 16, 2012
At least the word "Diversity" has,nt been used.Refugees and Imigrants have always been welcomed in Norwich since the 16th Century,I wonder if this sentiment still exists today ?
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Albert Cooper
Sunday, September 16, 2012