SOUTH ASIAN HERITAGE FESTIVAL – JULY 2022

CALDERDALE’S SOUTH ASIAN HERITAGE MONTH is an opportunity for us all to celebrate the long and rich history of British Asians and the positive impacts they have within our communities. This year we are overjoyed to kick off the month with an HERITAGE FESTIVAL which brings together leading British Pakistani and Indian writers and performers, local businesses and community groups at prestigious venues in Halifax.

We will be adding details of upcoming events to the website as things are confirmed in the coming weeks, but we can share the following with you:

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE CURRENT PROGRAMME OF EVENTS & ACTIVITIES 

PERFORMANCE EVENTS / WORKSHOPS – THE PIECE HALL & SQUARE CHAPEL ARTS CENTRE

SATURDAY 16th – THE PIECE HALL


Salim Sabri & Wasim Sabri Qawwali group

Start time: 12 / 12.30PM TBC
ADTHAAN – call to prayer – as this is call to prayer – in time of prophet Mohamed call of Prayer was used to call for gather attention. This will be delivered by Shaykh Abdullah Sawadogo, one of the most prominent members of the SA community in WY

RECITATION – of Quaran/ Tilawat

1.30PM – NASHEEDS READING – local young people working with Music for the Many and Hussnain Hanif will recite a selection of Nasheeds

2PM – DHOL DRILLERZ – specialise in Indian Drumming – participatory element: “We love to entertain and showcase Indian art and culture.”

3PM – NASHEEDS READING – local young people working with Music for the Many and Hussnain Hanif will recite a selection of Nasheeds

6PM – SALIM AND WASIM SABRI Qawwali group – Salim Sabri & Wasim Sabri Qawwali group

SATURDAY 16th – SQUARE CHAPEL ARTS CENTRE


Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan

11AM – Nasheed workshop led by MUSIC FOR THE MANY and HUSSNAIN HANIF for children and young people – taking place in the CornerStone

1.30PM – I Belong Here – writer ANITA SETHI will read from her acclaimed first book ‘I Belong Here’ and lead a participatory workshop – “Racial abuse prompts a hike across the Pennines and a heartfelt examination of identity and place in a memoir of rare power.” – taking place in the CornerStone, Square Chapel Arts Centre

4PM – readings from ‘Into the Wilds’, a new anthology of British South Asian writers from FOX & WINDMILL from Bradford, the UK’s first Asian publishing house. Taking place in the Atrium, Square Chapel Arts Centre

SUNDAY 17th – SQUARE CHAPEL ARTS CENTRE

2PM – We are very excited to bring SUHAIYMAH MANZOOR-KHAN to Halifax, to run a workshop and read from selected works: “writer, poet and educator disrupting understandings of history, race, knowledge and violence. She works to equip herself and others with the tools and faith to resist the unliveable conditions we find ourselves in, and work towards another reality.”
Workshop in the Corner Stone – reading / talk / Q&A in the Copper Space, Square Chapel Arts Centre

 

Tickets will be FREE for ALL performances and workshops!

The Festival will begin with the TILAWATH recitation followed by the ADHAN (call to Mid-day prayer) by SHAYKH ABDULLAH. The programme will then lead on to a reading of nasheeds.

We are very excited to bring this array of British South Asian talent to the Festival. But a key part of the weekend will be to showcase our local community and small businesses – we really want this to be a locally-led celebration.

So there will be a range of stalls on the day, including: Henna painting, calligraphy arts, face- painting, antique Pakistani jewellery, handmade fabrics and bags + sweet treats like traditional corn cob sellers. A range of food and drinks will be provided on Saturday 16th July by local businesses CHA CHA CHAI and East West Catering

We will also be having a range of fun, family-friendly activities in The Piece Hall courtyard

As part of South Asian Heritage Month, Calderdale’s Museums and Library Service will also arrange a number of commemorative displays and events to complement this important local celebration, including:

BANKFIELD MUSEUM will run an exhibition on South Asia from 16th July until the end of the year. This will showcase examples of South Asian textiles and art from the Museum collection, as well as contemporary objects from people of South Asian heritage living in Calderdale.

CALDERDALE LIBRARY SERVICE will hold a reminiscence workshop, where people from the South Asian community can share memories and stories. This will form the basis of new Local Studies work for the community archive.

verd de gris arts will also be running TAXI film, showcasing the stories and experiences of local SOUTH ASIAN TAXI DRIVERS the film will be available through local libraries and promoted through local taxi firms.

If you want to get involved in some way please get in touch – let’s make this a festival to remember … and to begin a conversation about how we can grow the festival for 2023!