KIRAN, the Knowledge-based Intercommunity Relationship and Awareness Network, has organised Diversity Day on 22 Jun 2019 at the Reardon Smith Theatre, Cardiff. Approximately 260 people, including audience and performers, have taken part in the programme. The participants included community members from Indian, Bangladeshi, Pakistani, Nigerian, African, Somalian, South American and White British backgrounds. Children and adults alike from Cardiff, Swansea, Penarth, Newport, Cwmbran, Bristol, Swindon, Leicester, London and Carmarthen have attended the programme. Notable personalities and speakers attending on the day included Mrs Uzo Iwobi, OBE, the then CEO Race Council of Wales, Mr Raj K Aggarwal, OBE, DL, Honorary Consul of India in Wales and Dr Grace Kerry, Director Gift of Grace Education Project and Mrs Bet Davies DL. The Deputy Minister and Chief Whip, Ms Jane Hutt, AM could not attend the event. However, she has sent a kind message supporting the occasion.
Details of performances
Performers and artists from Cardiff, Newport, Swansea, Cwmbran, Camarthen, Leicester, London, Bristol and Swindon have mesmerised the audience with their beautiful performances. The genre of arts included Indian classical and contemporary dances, recitation, Indian and Western music including Piano and Cello, South African dance, Bharat Natyam, Kathak and so on.
Three cultural groups from Cardiff, e.g., Kathak steps, Rekha Natya Academy, Rhythm, and one group from Leicester, i.e., Bong Beats, have presented their art on the day.
All of the participants and performers were happy and enjoyed the programme very much. They would want to attend similar events in future.
What we achieved on the day
This event was a unique opportunity to showcase so many diverse cultural activities to a wide variety of audience. People attending the diversity day have witnessed some rare and never seen before cultural presentations from performers and cultural groups. This event has benefitted our communities in the following ways:
1) It has introduced us to different culture and heritage from diverse communities present in the UK
2) It has inspired us to be respectful about the culture and heritage of people from diverse cultural backgrounds
3) It has given us the chance to connect to people from different communities and make lasting friendships with them.
4) We have raised £200.00 for the Gift of Grace Education Project to help Nigerian children with basic education.
