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The World Is Coming To Workington For Culture Bazaar

The world is coming to Workington this autumn when the town plays host to a fun-filled day of free events to celebrate West Cumbria’s vibrant, multicultural community.

The rallying cry at Culture Bazaar West will be ‘share our similarities - and celebrate our differences’ when it takes place at Workington Academy on November 26.

The spectacular one-day event, which is organised by the award-winning c, will bring people from different backgrounds together to celebrate their cultures, offering an eclectic mix of food, music, dance, arts and crafts, with performances and workshops scheduled throughout the day from noon to 5pm.

Highlights include Punjabi Roots Academy who will be performing as well as offering 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 some amazing food from around the world and 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 Cumbrian 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 adventurous father brought the family to Carlisle back 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 bazaar. This year Saj expects up to 1,000 visitors to Workington’s first Culture Bazaar and will be “dead chuffed” if numbers exceed that.

Multicultural Cumbria founder Saj Ghafoor

Saj said:
“People always comment on the great atmosphere.

“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.”

Culture Bazaar is not just about overcoming barriers, it’s also about unlocking the true Cumbrian community spirit of acceptance, understanding and friendship.

Multicultural Cumbria promotes cultural understanding and integration of the whole community. What better way than to use music, dance, food arts and crafts to connect to people without the barrier of language? This offers everyone the opportunity to experience the richness of world cultures from within our diverse communities.

In 2022 Saj was awarded the OBE for Services to Cultural Awareness and Integration in Cumbria. Saj was the first Asian woman in Cumbria to receive the OBE. She is the founder of Multicultural Cumbria.

Culture Bazaar West would not be possible without the support of its sponsors: Family Connector Project, Sellafield Ltd, The Lottery Community Fund, and McMenon Engineering.

Dr Grace Thomas, Project Coordinator at Family Connector Project said:
“The Family Connector Project is a collaboration between Cumberland County Council and Cumbria Education Trust that aims to provide additional support and opportunities to schools and their families across the county. Since January, the project has provided a vast array of services such as mental health support, training for school staff, parental support sessions, and new experiences for pupils.

“We are thrilled to support Multicultural Cumbria in this exciting event that will connect communities and celebrate Cumbria’s diverse cultures”.