Special events in Bradford to celebrate community pride

The events, hosted by the annual Intercultured Festival, are part of Bradford's year as UK City of Culture.

Activities range from a community meal called Meet Me Under the Blossom Trees next month to crafting and sessions on heritage traditions such as Mendhi body art.

Intercultured Festival director Mussarat Rahman, an artist known in Bradford for her work with migrant and refugee communities, said: "These events are all about community spirit.

Intercultured Festival director Mussarat Rahman (Image: John Bolloten Photography) "They are a big boost for Bradford, especially neighbourhoods like BD4 and BD5 which have a lot going for them.

"We want to help people feel pride in where they live."

All of the events, which are funded by Give Bradford's Creative Communities pot, have free tickets available.

Another option is for attendees to donate to the festival in exchange for their place.

The sessions began last month and are taking place in various different locations across the area.

The first event was an open mic night at the Romalandia Centre.

Punjabi musician SilverFinger Singh, also a former radio broadcaster with BBC Radio Leeds and the BBC Asian Network, hosted the session with the Connecting Roma community. 

SilverFinger Singh performing at Intercultured Festival last year (Image: Submitted) Mussarat added: "Our first event was a huge success.

"Lots of people from different communities across Bradford sang and made music together on the same stage.

"There was a fantastic buzz in the Romalandia Centre and that is something we hope to continue through the year.  

"It's incredibly important to provide free events for families in their local areas with simple activities like Mendhi and crafts.

"People are struggling just to pay the bills so these events will help them take their families out and provide a boost to marginalised communities."

SilverFinger added: "Having these events is all about bringing different people together and celebrating our cultural differences."

The events include a culinary celebration (Image: Submitted) At Meet Me Under the Blossom Trees, to be held at St Stephen's Church on Donisthorpe Street on April 26, people are encouraged to bring a dish as well as sample new cuisines. 

There will also be creative workshops to try.   

Tickets for events which have already been confirmed are now available to book at intercultured.co.uk/bradford-2025

More events, including one at Bowling Park, will be confirmed later in the year.