Unity festival for people to 'be proud' of culture

A new festival celebrating two of Bradford's biggest communities is a chance for families to "come together, have fun and be proud" of their culture, organisers have said.

The city's first Festival of African and Asian Cuisine and Fashion takes place in Lister Park later, and aims to bring people together through food, music, fashion and shared culture.

The event, organised by Impact Women Network CIC, is expected to attract hundreds of visitors from across the district.

Organiser Funmilola Peters said the idea for the festival grew from friendships formed between women attending local fitness classes. "The Asian and African communities represent some of the most diverse cultures in Bradford," she said.

"We want families to come together, have fun together and be proud of their culture."

Originally from Nigeria, Peters moved to West Yorkshire four years ago to study for a master's degree in health and social care at the University of Bradford.

She has since made the city her home and founded Impact Women Network CIC to support women and families in the community.

Despite coming from different cultural backgrounds, they discovered they shared similar values around family, community and supporting one another.

"It is a cross-cultural kind of cohesion," Peters said. "We celebrate diversity, inclusion and equality here in Bradford. We want this to happen to support the community."

Visitors to the event can expect food stalls showcasing African and Asian cuisines, live entertainment, traditional music and dance, family activities and a marketplace for local businesses.

There will also be a friendly "Battle of Jollof" rice cooking competition between Nigerian and Ghanaian cooks, while guests are being encouraged to wear traditional dress, with prizes awarded to the best-dressed participants.

Peters hopes the festival will become an annual tradition, describing it as an opportunity to celebrate "sisterhood, brotherhood and community" while giving local entrepreneurs and performers a platform to showcase their talents.

She believes the event is something Bradford has never seen before.

"It has never really been in the history of Bradford... that Asians and Africans will come together in one day to celebrate their cultures together hugely and loudly like this," she said.

Publicity coordinator Gladys Etim is equally excited. Also originally from Nigeria, she said the event reflects the friendships that have developed between people from different backgrounds.

"I'm looking forward to seeing my Asian friends. I'm looking forward to seeing my African friends. I'm looking forward to the dancing, the noise... the food, the flavour, and just having a pretty good relaxing time," she said.

For Etim, the message behind the festival is simple.

"It's all about unity. It's all about us coming together. It's all about diversity. It's all about inclusion."

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