Festival of Nations 09

(Date of issue: Wednesday, 1 July 2008)

Hundreds of local Carlisle school children will be sampling other cultures this week, as part of the run up this year’s Festival of Nations event, scheduled for this Saturday (4 July) in Carlisle’s city centre.

All week pupils from over 30 primary schools have been taking part in a diverse range of activities, including Asian and Chinese arts & crafts and African drumming.

The annual Festival of Nations Challenge Football Match between the Bengali Tigers and Carlisle City Council Aces is set to take place today, Wednesday 1 July, 1pm kick off, at the Sheepmount football pitch in Bitts Park.

The Carlisle City Council one-day Festival of Nations will be held on Saturday, 4 July and will include musicians and dancers celebrating cultures from around the world performing in the city centre shopping area. The global street party is free and will be held between 10.30am and 4pm.

Thousands of visitors sample the free Carlisle City Council event each year and this year’s performers includes dancers from the Punjab, drummers from Africa, a Caribbean Steel Band, Hellenic Dancers, dancers from Poland, a Scottish and Brazilian band rounded off with food from Asia.

Leader of Carlisle City Council, Cllr Mike Mitchelson said:

"The Festival of Nations is one of the City Council’s most colourful and diverse events. This year, as well as the performances in the city centre, a series of workshop sessions have been held in local schools, where children have been able to participate in a variety of activities and learn more about other cultures, which is an important factor in the process of learning to become responsible citizens."

As part of the Festival of Nations a Tibetan Floor Patterns workshop will also be held at Tullie House Museum for residents, of all ages, on 4 July between 10.00am - 4.00pm. Alongside this is the Carlisle Culture’s exhibition running until the 6 September, with free admission to Tullie card holders. To be sure of booking a workshop place telephone 01228 534664 or by calling into Tullie House’s main reception.

Festival of Nations programme

Saturday, 4 July - Carlisle city centre pedestrianised area

Please note that the timetable is for guidance only and may be subject to alteration on the day of the event.