Ubuntu Festival 2017 to send out clear anti-racism message

Derry and Strabane Council says it wants to send a clear 'anti-racism' message by hosting the Ubuntu Festival 2017.

The Ubuntu Global Festival 2017 is one of the highlights of the St Patrick’s Day Spring Carnival programme and is a one day family orientated event across three venues featuring music, dance, food, arts and crafts from over 50 nationalities who all reside in the City and District.

The Festival will take place in The Craft Village, Waterloo Place and Bishop Street and Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Alderman Hilary McClintock, urged the public to come out and sample its sights and sounds.

“The Ubuntu Festival is part of a packed programme of events for our Spring Carnival weekend and is a fantastic opportunity for the public to come into the City Centre and celebrate the diversity that exists within our Council area,” she said.

“The event has been a phenomenal success over the years as artists, musicians and community groups from all over the world come together to share their culture.

“It also represents the perfect way to send out a clear message that we are a City and District who respect difference and reject racism in all its forms.”

Good Relations Officer at Derry City and Strabane District Council, Amanda Biega agreed that the Ubuntu Festival was an opportune way for the public to demonstrate that all cultures are welcome here.

“This Festival is all about the fun and richness of diversity in our community,” she said. “Our area is home to a wide range of nationalities and the Ubuntu Global Festival 2017 gives our diverse communities the opportunity to come together to celebrate world cultures and send out a clear message that racism will not be tolerated.  

“Ubuntu is a South African word meaning that all our identities are interlinked and should be respected.  By delivering this festival we want to showcase the positive cultural diversity of our region. 

“We have brought together a toe-tapping array of live music and dance performances from far and wide and we defy anyone to be able to stand still at this wonderful lively event.”

“There will be, literally, a whole world of fun to see, taste and do at Ubuntu and we are very excited to be bringing all the cultures of our Council area together for this fantastic carnival.”

Kat Healey from the Foyle Race Equality Forum added: "Ubuntu provides an exciting way for people from across the North West to learn about the diverse communities that all live here and the rich heritage and cultures they have brought with them from their countries of origin. 

“In particular, it's a great way to introduce children to diverse foods, music, crafts, fashion and histories and cultures.

"Foyle Race Equality Forum is committed to extending local people's knowledge of diverse communities, Black and Minority Ethnic residents and migrants beyond the cultures that we experience as a one-off experience at festivals. 

“But attending Ubuntu is a great way to begin to experience the traditions and cultures of migrants and first or even second and third generation BME communities that have made their homes in the North West."

The festival will be held in the city on March 18th.

For more detail go to www.derrystrabane.com/SpringCarnival.