Drogheda Independent

Joinin‘Taste ofAllNatio­ns’ onlinein20­20

- By ALISON COMYN

THE organisers behind last year’s hugely successful event ‘ Taste of All Nations’ have had to get creative this time to move the forthcomin­g event online.

Organised by Hands 4 Unity, a non-profit organisati­on which brings people of different nationalit­ies together in supporting community participat­ion, during last year’s inaugural event in the Barbican, over 200 visitors sampled food, dance and music from the myriad of cultures shared in Drogheda.

But COVID restrictio­ns now mean they can’t welcome the crowds in person, so everything will be streamed live on Facebook.

‘It went so well last year, that we really wanted to hold it again this year, but of course, we can’t hold it now because of rules about numbers and social distancing,’ says organiser and Hands 4 Unity committee chair Ejiro Ohare Stratton. ‘So, we are asking people to join in at home, and either dress up or cook their favourite dish – or both – and send us photos while you are watching our entertainm­ent.’

The event will take place on Saturday September 26th and what entertainm­ent there will be!

‘We want it to coincide with Community Inclusion Week and we will have a wealth of people from all communitie­s in the town,’ she says. ‘ We will have traditiona­l Irish, Indian and Nigerian, and Filipino dance, as well as someone playing flute, bodhran and piano.’

Sadly, the missing ingredient

this year will be the delicious food from the different ethnicitie­s, but they are hoping people will get into the spirit of things at home, or in the workplace.

‘It’s an all-day event and it would be great if those watching us could join in with cooking their favourite meals and share the results on our page,’ explains Ejiro, who is Nigerian and moved to Drogheda almost 30 years ago to work with the Medical Missionari­es of Mary, ‘We have spot prizes for those taking part, including vouchers from local restaurant­s, butchers and fish shops, and gaming shops for the younger viewers.’

The aim of the group is to help new communitie­s integrate into life in Drogheda, and to allow all the communitie­s, new and Irish, to live together in harmony.

“Some people who come to live in Drogheda can end up isolated or cut off from the rest of the community, often through no fault of their own,” explains Ejiro, who is Nigerian and moved to Drogheda almost 30 years ago to work with the Medical Missionari­es of Mary,

‘We can provide support, and advice on healthcare, education and social needs. What we would really like to do next is to go into some of the schools, and bring the Irish and non-national youths together to mingle and find out more about each other’s cultures.’

You can find out more at www.hands4unit­y.com and tune in from 12pm until 8pm on the Facebook page Hands4unit­y on Saturday September 26th.

 ??  ?? Drogheda Wheelers Club Championsh­ip winner Shane Coll, second Brendan McEntee and third Luke Coll.
Drogheda Wheelers Club Championsh­ip winner Shane Coll, second Brendan McEntee and third Luke Coll.
 ??  ?? Enjoying the event in 2019
Enjoying the event in 2019

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Ireland