Event to celebrate all things European

An event to celebrate European traditions and culture is coming to Worcester next month.

Eurofest - which is being organised by Worcester City Council - will be held at The Guildhall in High Street on Saturday 11 May between 11.00am and 3.00pm.

 

As part of the free community event, Bulgarian, Irish and Breton dance troupes will perform on the day alongside Worcester-based chamber choir, Severn Voices Choir, who will sing in French, German, Icelandic, Italian and Ukrainian. A pop-up Portuguese cafe by The Hopmarket-based deli, Our Taste of Portugal, will provide traditional Portuguese food tasting, while Lowesmoor-based Romanian restaurant, Bistro by Polonicul, will be showcasing the different ingredients it uses.

 

The day will also welcome co-host Worcester Language Exchange, who will offer people the opportunity to practice different languages. Another co-host, Worcestershire Polish Association, will provide heritage displays, popular Polish cakes, language games and the chance to create traditional floral head decorations, while The Word Association will be collating stories and poems for a forthcoming book. 

 

Other partners involved in organising the event include Lowesmoor-based fast food restaurant Balkan Breakfast Cafe and St George’s Catholic Church.

 

Extra heritage displays will include Little Italy and a Displaced Persons Camp from the City Council’s archives.

 

Warwick Neale, Manager of the City Council’s Community Services Team, said: “Experiencing different traditions and cultures is an enriching experience, ensuring that we can all appreciate that society is made up of many different groups. We look forward to an interesting and diverse day!”

 

This is the first celebration of European communities by the City Council; after the success of its first Black History Month last year, an event to celebrate the city’s European communities was agreed as part of the council’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

 

Everyone is welcome and it is hoped the event will become an annual event.

 

Despite being the second smallest continent, Europe is home to more than 400 world heritage sites; Italy alone has 58. Other interesting facts include:

 

• Europe has the world’s smallest country, Vatican City;
• Three quarters of the world’s potatoes come from Europe;
• Europe is made up of 50 countries;
• There are more than 200 languages spoken in Europe.

 

For further information or the chance to get involved in future events, please contact: community@worcester.gov.uk