Celebrating cultural diversity
Calderdale College opened their doors to the local community this week to celebrate cultural diversity with live music, food and drinks, dancing, games and crafts. The Festival of Cultures was hosted at the Inspire Sports and Fitness Centre at the college, allowing students, staff, local organisations, schools and the local community to learn more about each other and celebrate the different cultures within the area.
The day was packed full of activities including belly dancing, Rangoli - Indian floor art, Bhangra dancing, Yoga, Irish fiddle music, a flag competition, totem pole carving, an African clothing display, face painting and a resident pianist, while ESOL students organised Mehndi, Arabic calligraphy and a clothes display.
Professional cookery students prepared food from around the world and English functional skills students displayed personal prose.
The Arch-Way Project organised South Asian music and activities and EAST staff and students created interactive map activities.
Parkinson Lane Primary School choir and dance troop kick started the festival with a trio of songs and dances which were enjoyed by all.
Bobby Sarwar, music teacher at Parkinson Lane Primary School, said: “It was great to see so many different schools and students of all ag- es taking part.
“I loved all the different variety of food, stalls and the children really enjoyed watching and listening to all the different music and dancing.”
John Rees, principal and chief executive, said: “The Festival of Cultures was a fantastic opportunity for the college to open its doors and to celebrate with the wider community.
“It was great to welcome so many new people into the college and to see the vast array of colourful, musical, tasty and social events on display.
“The positive and fun atmosphere was really engaging and it was great to see students from such a wide range of subject areas taking part.
“Our invited guests were full of praise for the event and I hope they will join us again as we look to plan an even bigger and better festival in the future.”
Laura Lavender, employability and life skills lecturer at the college, who organised the event with the help of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, teaching staff and students, said: “The festival was about bringing the whole community together to celebrate Calderdale.
“It has been a really exciting afternoon for children and adults alike.
“The day was diverse, inclusive and fun and focused on people learning about and celebrating the different cultures of people who live and work around them.”
Kamini Khushu, ESOL lecturer at the college, said: “I’m originally from India, so I wanted educate people about our Hindu culture through Rangoli which means welcome and good luck.
“The geometrical and symmetrical patterns repel the evil and bring good luck.
“Students from Parkinson Lane Primary School and Savile Park Primary School have been learning about Rangoli and its meaning and helped decorate lots of designs.
“College students have also been questioning me and I hope they learnt something.”
Helen Cowgill, ESOL tutor at St Augustine’s Centre, said: “I love the Festival of Cultures because it makes people happy.
“Students from different countries have come today and everyone has had a great time.”
Satima Shabbir, who attends an English class at St Augustine’s Language Café, said: “I really enjoyed the belly dancing and Bhangra dancing, next year I am hoping to study an Entry Level 2 English course at the college.”
Mollie Chesswas, level two business administration apprentice, 16, from Halifax, said: “It was great to celebrate and learn about the different cultures at the festival; there were lots of different people and lots of different activities.
“I had Mehndi painted on my hand and I think it is fascinating how they draw the intricate designs.”
Kutubo Touray, ESOL student at the college, who is hoping to study public services next year, said: “I really enjoyed the Festival of cultures, I tried lots of different things, met lots of different people and I loved the dancing.”
Ketsia tshowa, ESOL student, said: “I love my course and I have really enjoyed cooking and doing people’s hair.”
Alice Beman, level one professional cookery student, 17, from Halifax who wants to be a chef, said: “It was really good; I enjoyed cooking and serving food and watching the primary school children dancing.”
Diana Tremayne, ESOL course leader, said: “It was great for ESOL students to be able to share their cultures with everybody and for students and the community to find out more about them and about the different cultures and try different food. We all had a really good time! It was fabulous.”
Shagufta Kamran Bashir, learner involvement officer, said: “It was a buzzing atmosphere. It was fantastic to see all the primary school children, ESOL students and Employability and Life Skills students performing.”