Successful Connecting Cultures Event at The Square, Ballynahinch

Hundreds of people attended the multi-cultural family friendly celebration at The Square in Ballynahinch on Saturday 3 August. The Connecting Cultures Event was held to help promote community cohesion and encourage acceptance and understanding of other cultures. 

The Connecting Cultures event was organised in association with Choice Housing, Rowallane and Slieve Croob District Electoral Areas, The Executive Office, Together Building United Communities, (T:BUC), Housing for All, and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

Speaking at the event, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Deputy Chairperson, Councillor Terry Andrews said, “The Council is delighted to be part of this exciting event to celebrate local and ethnic diversity. Increasingly we live in a more diverse community and it is important that we learn from each other and create safe, vibrant communities for the future.

“Today’s event allows new residents to meet their neighbours, begin friendships, sample new tastes and experiences, and also gain a sense of pride in their inclusive community. I look forward to similar events taking place in the future.

“It was clear from the feedback received during the event that everyone thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience, which had something for everyone irrespective of age or culture.”

Sharon Hunt, Community Support Officer, Choice Housing said, “Building strong and resilient communities is just as important to Choice as building great homes. That’s why, through the Together Building a United Community Strategy, we are delighted to host this wonderful festival, which has been an enormous success.

“We would like to thank all our partners, tenants and community members who took part in the festival, we have been overwhelmed by the support.”

In addition to music from all over the world, there were dancers entertaining the crowd, face painting, an exotic petting farm, stilt walkers, circus skills and cuisine from various parts of the world. The African drumming proved particularly popular, with people of all ages keen to take part. Representatives from the Men’s Shed and the PSNI were also in attendance.