MUSIC FROM DIFFERENT CULTURES
On the evening of 28th April, Birkenhead’s live performance venue Future Yard welcomed the fiery, groove-driven, West African rooted sounds of Dele Sosimi and his exceptional six-piece band.
The Nigerian-British Afrobeat ambassador, who’s music career began with Fela Kuti’s Egypt 80 when he was just a teenager, performed to a lively crowd as part of this Africa Oye associated show. Joyful howls of appreciation from the audience, and a powerful, soul-lifting horn section, are just two of the many reasons why this gig will be fondly remembered. The main reason, however, is the multi-generational representation in the room, and the young person who enjoyed the show with their family in the front row. This heart-warming scene not only brought a smile, but also prompted discussion within our friendship group. We left the venue reflecting on the importance of representation and how it’s beneficial for all to learn about a heritage that’s different to their own. The evening left me wanting to find out how the arts are empowering young people in Liverpool, and where they can go to celebrate cultural diversity.
Since moving to Liverpool City Region in 2021, I’ve been overjoyed to hear of so many community engagement projects and events taking place, and often thought how fantastic it is to have a city that’s large enough to host spectacles, such as Eurovision 2023, but small enough to care about a diverse and engaging cultural calendar. Whether it’s The Irish Festival attracting over 45,000 visitors to its 2023 programming, or The Jazz Project held in the Granby Winter Garden, there are fantastic opportunities that encourage conversation through creativity and spaces to celebrate who we are.
A true annual highlight is Africa Oye. A free to access, community festival held in Sefton Park that celebrates music from the Continent and Diaspora. Each June, the site hosts a Carnival-like atmosphere with multiple music stages, a plethora of food and shopping stalls, and chances for all generations to get involved through workshops. The festival’s Artistic Director, Paul Duhaney, shared that “during the three decades that Oye has been taking place, we have seen generations of people attending, many who then bring their own children along to the festival. One of Oye’s key objectives is to introduce young people to the music of Africa and the Diaspora, and spark their curiosity into their own heritage. Young people see performers of all identities represented on stage… giving our audiences confidence that there is a pathway to achieve their own aspirations.” This goal is highlighted in stories like MC Nelson’s. “Africa Oye played a huge role in me transitioning from the crowd to the stage” shares the South Liverpool-raised rapper. “Year after year seeing people that looked like me on stage had a profound effect on me, and it’s something I’ve discussed with other Scouse musicians who feel the same.”
Another organisation looking to inspire our next generation is the Liverpool Arab Arts Festival. Since 2021, over 2000 students have participated in their education programme which provides opportunities to engage with Arabic culture and language. For some it is the first time seeing their homelife and family represented at school, and for others it provides an opportunity to discover and learn. A host from a local primary school said, “The young people easily felt comfortable in [the group lead]’s presence and for many of them it was great to see themselves represented through her, and for others to learn more about different cultures and identity.”
Creating accessible spaces for personal development and reflection can equip our young people with a strong sense of self and understanding of others. Liverpool born Milap (meaning “to meet each other in friendship”) has grown into the UK’s leading Indian Arts organisation, and their recent International Festival held at Salt and Tar in Bootle proudly showcased their ethos of creating harmony through shared artistic experience. Their Artistic Director, Alok Nayak, also stresses the importance of giving “young people from South Asian backgrounds the chance to understand, learn and extend their own art forms, giving them confidence and a sense of identity in Britain.”
While a wider understanding of peers and community is of great importance, it’s the confidence gained by young people through projects such as Oye, LAAF, and MILAP that strike me most. Seeing these celebrations of heritage in public spaces helps nurture a sense of self and increases feelings of belonging to your community. This can have countless positive outcomes for participants and society in general.
To find out more about Liverpool’s upcoming festivals and events, visit our ‘What’s On’ page.
Words by Claire Umney / @clairerachelumney
