Govanhill International Festival Reveals This Year's Line-Up, Including Two Events by Greater Govanhill
The Govanhill International Festival and Carnival - brought to you by the Govanhill Baths and loads of locat partner organisations is back! Read on for a few of the events we’re most looking forward to and scroll down for the full programme link
This August, the Govanhill International Festival and Carnival returns for its seventh year. Ran by Govanhill Baths, the festival celebrates the cultural diversity of the area and is first and foremost an anti-racist festival.
Perhaps the highlights of each years’ celebrations in the Govanhill Parade which brings together the residents and community organisations of the area. This year it will take place on Sat 05 August at Govanhill Park.
Check out our video from last year’s parade.
As part of the festival, Greater Govanhill are putting on two events:
Govanhill’s Stories Told Through Objects
When Thu 09 Aug, 7:00 – 8:30pm
Where The Community Newsroom, 82 Bowman St
Get your tickets
Greater Govanhill have once again teamed up with photographer Morwenna Kearsley (Govanhill’s artist in residence through Street Level Photoworks Culture Collective programme) for FONDS. From a found feather to a two hundred year old blouse, from a framed certificate to a hand sewn purse. The objects in the homes around Govanhill reveal the stories of migration that make Govanhill so unique. Following the exhibition last year, we are now working on the part two, taking more photographs and creating a podcast. In this event, we’ll hear some of those stories, and give you the chance to share yours.
Junior Reporter Magazine Making Challenge: Govanhill International Festival
When Sat 5 Aug & Sat 12 Aug
Where The Community Newsroom, 82 Bowman St
Get your tickets (5 Aug) & (12 Aug)
We’re inviting children and young people aged 10-16 to get involved in producing a special issue of the Greater Govanhill magazine including reviews of festival events and writing about the issues that matter to them. This two part workshop will provide practical advice and support to enable people to produce their own articles and images.
Some of our picks for the festival ahead:
Govanhill... As I See It – Community Photography Exhibition
When: 1 – 6 August
Where: Window display above The Deep End 21 Nithsdale St, G41 2PZ
What: This community photography project is part of Jude Mckechnie’s Govanhill Baths Culture Collective residency. Through an open call, people living and working in Govanhill were invited to take pictures which they felt captured the spirit of the area on a disposable camera. The results are a wonderful display of community pride, joy and diversity!
Vegetal Soul Launch
When: 3–5pm, Saturday 5 August
Where: Burning House Books, 446 Cathcart Rd, G42 7BZ
Rosie’s Disobedient Press is launching Hussein Mitha’s experimental, expansive and urgent pamphlet, ‘Vegetal Soul’. The launch will be accompanied by a responsive window display featuring woodcut and charcoal illustrations by Isobel Neviazsky. Refreshments provided.
Govanhill Parade and Carnival
When: 1—4pm, Saturday 5 August
Where: Govanhill Park, marching to Queen’s Park
What: This anti-racist celebration of diversity and unity, will once again weave its way from Govanhill Park to Queens Park. Drummers, pipers, brass bands, jugglers, roller skaters, dancers and all the brilliant community groups are back too, and they are all ready to make some noise. Followed by a carnival in the Queen’s Park arena filled with music, culture and family friendly activities. Greater Govanhill will have a stall in the community tent there, so come say hi!
Rumpus Summer Yard Club
When: 10am–1pm, 7 – 9 August
Where: Rumpus Room, Langside Lane, G42 8BH
What: Rumpus Room will be running their annual Rumpus Summer Yard Club. Open and free to all kids aged 7-12 years old. Join artists and play workers to create artworks, enjoy free-play, cooking, gardening, building and more!
Irish Roots
When: 5–8pm, Monday 7 August
Where: Dixon Halls, 656 Cathcart Rd, G42 8AA
What: The influence of Irish migrants, on the development of the Southside of Glasgow and on the towns and villages surrounding it, is an important part of Scotland’s history and our heritage. This multi-part event outlines the history of migration between Scotland and Ireland and aims to challenge some of the myths that exist about the Irish in Scotland.
More info: Ticketed but free
Sounds Like Govanhill
When: 7–9pm, Monday 7 August
Where: McNeill’s Bar, 106 Torrisdale St, G42 8PH
What: 'Sounds like Govanhill' is an evening of music and performance capturing the essences of Govanhill based on keen observations of a neighbourhood with its own unique character. Hear music from Sean McGarvey, and excerpts from the Cheers Govanhill blog and podcast read by Peter Mohan.
More info: Tickets on sliding scale £0–12
In Conversation: Harry Josephine Giles and local Councillor Elaine Gallagher
When 6–8pm, Wednesday 9 August
Where Bee’s Knees Café, 83 Bowman St, G42 8LF
What: Ten years since Josie Giles’ second pamphlet, Oam, was launched as a result of a residency with Govanhill Baths, this is an opportunity to hear readings from this award-winning poet. This will be followed by a short Q&A where the author will discuss her writing process and the evolution of her work in the decade since Oam was published.
Jewish Govanhill Walk by The Scottish Jewish Archives Centre
When 2 – 4pm, Thursday 10 August,
Jewish people have lived in Govanhill since the beginning of the 20th century. This trail will trace the origins, walking the streets where the Jewish community have lived, worked and played. You’ll visit the locations of Jewish youth groups, communal organisations, shops, businesses and, of course, synagogues.
Fiere
When 7:30–11pm, Thursday 10 August
Where The Rum Shack, 657-659 Pollokshaws Rd, G41 2AB
What: Join flos collective for Fiere; an immersive night of music, performance, spoken word and film by Glasgow based women and non-binary people. Inspired by Scottish poet Jackie Kay’s Fiere, the evening will celebrate the strength found in friendship and the family we choose for ourselves.
75 Years since the Nakba: Festival for Palestine
When 11–13 August
Where The Deep End, 21 Nithsdale St, G41 2PZ
What: A three-day Festival of Palestinian life and culture will feature film, poetry, photography and political analysis as the Network of Photographers for Palestine brings you a rich array of attractions. They will be serving delicious Palestinian food over the weekend too.
Hai Te Ciravas! Traditional Romani Cooking Class with Mini Romanes Lesson
When: 11am – 1:30pm, Saturday 12 August
Where: MILK Cafe, 452 Victoria Rd, G42 8YU
What: Join locals Rahela and Sorina for a cooking and language session. Learn some basics of Kalderash Romanes and how to make some delicious traditional food – with plenty of time for eating too. Participants will receive a recipe pack to cook at home
More info: Ticketed, pay what you can (£0 – £12)
Made in Bangladesh: Screening as part of Repair Cafe x Rags to Riches Takeover
When: 6 – 8pm, Saturday 12 August
Where: The Deep End, 21 Nithsdale St, G41 2PZ
What: Rubaiyat Hossain’s vibrant and hopeful film was informed by hundreds of interviews with female garment workers and presents an impassioned, beautifully crafted exposé of exploitative labour practices and the global economic forces that fuel them.
Margaret Skinnider, "Rebel Heart"
When: Saturday 12 August, 7 - 8pm
Where: Queen’s Park Baptist Church, 170 Queen’s Drive
What: Inspired by the revolutionary and trade union leader Margaret Skinnider, this powerful, moving drama is the fruition of six years of research and a major part of the efforts to achieve the rightful place in history for the Coatbridge born Margaret. This is a rehearsed reading of Rebel Heart.
Street Music Festival
When: Sunday 13 August
Where: Various locations in Govanhill
What: The Govanhill Street Music Festival is back once again! Celebrate the rich and diverse musical contributions from the artists of Govanhill with a line up that showcases the wonderful musical heritage, talent and skills of top musicians and performers The Street Music Festival has become one of the highlights of the festival programme; hosted by Love Music Hate Racism.
April 17th’ ( 5 min film screening playing a loop) by Romano Lav
When: 1–4pm, Sunday 13 August
Where: The Community Newsroom, 82 Bowman St, G42 8LF
What: When there’s a party in Govanhill, a neighbour learns a valuable lesson. This short film was made by local Roma young people with Romano Lav as part of the Govanhill Baths’ Culture Collective project, under the guidance of local filmmakers Meray Diner and Ciaran Pasi.
More info: This is part of the Radical Reels trail – you can also catch ‘It Will Start With Me’ by Glasgow Centre for Population Health working with a group of New Scots Women, playing at MILK Cafe.