Issue 1 of Greater Govanhill magazine published!
You can pick up a copy for FREE from local shops and cafes. If you are unable to do so for any reason, order a copy from our online shop.
This week, Greater Govanhill, an independently-published community magazine was launched. It serves to challenge negative perceptions about the Glasgow neighbourhood that are often rooted in racism and spread by those who don’t live in the area. It provides a platform for typically marginalised voices and aims to reclaim the narrative. The idea was developed after community consultation carried out in early 2020.
The first magazine was funded by a Crowdfunder that ran in September and raised over £3000 for the first issue. Around 60 people from 12 different countries contributed to the magazine in some way, whether writing, editing, translating, proofreading or providing photography, illustrations or design. It features over 30 original articles. Besides English, certain features were also translated into Arabic, Romanian, Czech, Russian, Urdu and Slovak.
Across 52 pages, articles include a feature on the new Black Lives Matter murals, a Pakistani food guide to the area, interviews with local artists and makers, a Transylvanian recipe, a Roma News and Views section, a literary tour of Govanhill and an in depth look at the new South City Way cycle route.
Some 5000 copies have been printed and are currently being distributed around the neighbourhood. It is available to pick up - for free - from local shops and cafes. Greater Govanhill has also provided copies to local organisations including Queen’s Park Parish Food Bank, Al Khair Foundation, Glasgow Mutual Aid, Refuweegee, Community Renewal, Dixon South East Carers Centre, the Govanhill Community Development Trust and others who work to support the most isolated in the community.
Govanhill has a long history of becoming home to people newly arriving into Glasgow. From the late 19th century onwards, Irish, Italian and Jewish communities all called Govanhill home. The second half of the twentieth century saw the arrival of those from the South Asian subcontinent. In recent years, there have been arrivals from Eastern European, in particular from the Roma community, many of whom are leaving behind discrimination in their home countries. Research carried out earlier this year found that at least 88 languages are spoken on the streets of this multicultural neighbourhood.
Speaking about the magazine, founder and editor, Rhiannon Davies said:
“Often negative stereotypes are perpetuated because of a lack of awareness about other cultures. I want this magazine to enable people to understand their neighbours a little bit better. That’s also why there are articles published in seven different community languages. It makes it more accessible to those who don’t have English as a first language and it helps to normalise – and celebrate – the differences that make Govanhill so unique.
“Of course there are problems here, just as there are in other neighbourhoods across the city. The magazine won’t shy away from covering the big issues, but will do so in a constructive, and solution-focused way.
“There’s a real community spirit here, that I never felt when living in other parts of Glasgow. And there are so many amazing community projects and social enterprises, there’s plenty to fill the magazine. We’ve already had a lot of supportive comments from locals telling me that the magazine really makes them feel proud of where they live.”
The magazine is set up as social enterprise. The intention is to publish the magazine on a quarterly basis in the first year, funded through local advertisers, membership subscriptions and grant funding.
Take a peek