Plymouth RESPECT Festival's 21st Birthday Party

The Festival showcases Plymouth’s diversity and enables different communities to come together and promote the intrinsic message of respect and equality for all.

Organised by the Plymouth and Devon Racial Equality Council, the one day event includes parades through the city centre, live music, dancing, children’s activities, world food, information stands and much more!

Since humble beginnings in 1998, Plymouth RESPECT Festival has continued to grow and develop each year. In 2018, the event returned to its home of Plymouth Guildhall and saw in excess of 3,000 people, of all ages, ethnic backgrounds and cultures attend.

This RESPECT Festival project has two parts; firstly the Festival itself: a free multicultural arts festival in Plymouth featuring music, dance, theatre, parade, food & craft. Secondly, our outreach Parade programme working with 200 members of schools and communities using carnival arts and dance as tools for encouraging diversity awareness.

Who will benefit?

Using BAME artists we will work with a variety of schools and community groups. Schools signed up so far include Stuart Road Primary, High View Primary, Beechwood Primary, Brook Green Centre for Learning and The Highbury Trust but more will come on board. Over 200 children and community members will benefit first hand from this funding but don't forget the thousands of people who will enjoy the Festival and parade in the City Centre this autumn on Saturday September 14th, 2019.

We have secured funding from Arts Council England to contribute to the engagement programme which will involve 5  school groups and 2 community groups: paying for artists, materials, transport and marketing. This will allow approximately 200 people to take part in the parade and learn about the diverse communities we have living amongst us.

What will the money buy?

£ 5,000 of  the money we raise will go towards paying for a Marquee to be hired and erected. The Marquee will house the Music and Dance Programme.

£4,000 will go towards the festival itself: paying for staffing, entertainment, workshops and volunteer expenses.

£500 will cover the cost of parade props and resources, ensuring that the parade is the best that it can be - colourful, vibrant and dynamic.

£500 will go towards an artistic event/the exhibition space - Spoken Word 

Why a RESPECT Festival in Plymouth ? 

Plymouth and Devon Racial Equality Council as a charity was founded in 1993 to challenge prejudice, discrimination & racism and to build capacity in BAME communities to enable every individual to participate as full members of society. PDREC have been celebrating diversity in our town with The Respect Festival since 1998 and in our current climate we need this event more than ever. According to a 2019 government report there has been a 17% increase in hate crime, but the report warns that this is just the tip of the iceberg with many people not reporting incidents. PDREC sees Respect as a critical diversity event in Plymouth's calendar and a valuable tool for tackling racism.

When and where?

LEASE COME AND JOIN US - SATURDAY THE 14th of SEPTEMBER  AT THE GUILDHALL IN THE CITY CENTRE  FOR THE PARADE  FROM 10.15 AM TO 11.15 AM WITH DOORS OPENING FROM 11.00 AM TO 5 .00 .PM.

Testimonials

"Our students love taking part in the RESPECT Festival workshop and the festival itself. They have the opportunity to reflect on diversity and inclusivity but more importantly how we share common ground with people from different cultures. RESPECT is also central to British Values, which is now embedded in the school curriculum. Therefore, this is a hands-on approach to practising these values.

When participating in the workshops, our students have always enjoyed learning new skills, exploring different materials and expressing their creativity. Alongside this, they appreciate the social aspects of the workshops, such as, talking to new people.

The parade itself is a magical event. Our students are always so proud to take part. This is a fantastic, self-esteem building activity. Often, their parents, carers and siblings take part so the benefits of the Respect Festival spread beyond our school. In addition to this, it's a great family day out! "

Mirella Paganuzzi, Brook Green Centre for Learning

"High View school has been involved in the RESPECT Festival for several years and it represents an important part of our SMSC curriculum. During our workshops, children are immersed in multicultural artwork and during the parade; parents join the children and staff to show off their creations with great pride.

This is very special and valued by all, as it also serves as an important message to our school community about the value of respect, tolerance and multi-cultural awareness."

Kim Dorian-Kemp - Head Teacher, NLE, High View Primary

"The RESPECT festival has enabled our children to work together on unique projects, tailored to fit our school curriculum or the children interests. The children have been introduced to new and interesting ideas about other cultures such as the Indian tribes in North America and the injustices they suffered. They have furthered their global understanding and begun to understand their own cultural identity. Particularly important is the sense of community which comes from the street parades, when all the groups involved come together to share their creations. The children talk about these events long after the day and for Beechwood Primary Academy; we feel that we have made a positive contribution towards a city wide project which promotes a healthy attitude to differences in society."

Mrs Lisa Evans - Head of School, Beechwood Primary Academy

A big thank you to Wiseman Productions for sharing their festival footage with us.