It’s finally here! We’re so excited to share with you the latest issue of the magazine, focussing on all the arts, culture and subcultures in the area. We’ve started delivering the magazine (many of you hopefully got your hands on a copy at the Govanhill parade) but you’d like a copy sent to you, become a member from as little as £3 a month.

A Letter from the Team

Dear readers,

It's a pleasure to introduce myself here. My name is Devon, and I’m a proud member of the Greater Govanhill team. I grew up in Castlemilk and lived with family in Pollokshields, so to me Govanhill has always felt like home. This summer I finally graduated from university after studying multimedia journalism for four years. Embracing my new-found freedom wasn’t the easiest transition but working alongside the journalists at Greater Govanhill (and The Ferret!) and getting involved in the community has been so inspiring, reigniting my passion after years of schooling. As the former Arts & Film Editor at an independent culture magazine, The Chritical, I’m beyond excited to share with you our first ever Arts and Culture Issue.

In this issue we explore the vibrant local arts scene in Govanhill, which is something of a hotspot for artists and creatives. This time round we want to showcase the different scenes and subcultures that breathe life into the area; bringing like-minded folks together, regardless of social or cultural differences.

You may also have noticed our Editor-in-Chief, Rhiannon J. Davies, has not appeared in this issue. That’s because she is away on a fellowship in North America, visiting community media organisations from across the pond to find out what we can do better - which means the rats are running the ship!

We hope this issue will distract from the obvious nip in the air as we move into the colder months. So, bundle yourself up, grab a warm (pumpkin spiced) latte or a toasty cinnamon bun from your local cafe, and enjoy the rest of the magazine.

Devon McCole Staff Journalist/Editor

Featured Contributors

Chanderkiran Thakur is a play facilitator and committee member at Rumpus Room. He also makes turntable role-play games around themes of community, care and queer futures.

Sasha Delmage is an illustrator/textile artist interested in critters and foolishness. As well as illustration, Sasha offers a garment mending service based in Govanhill, where she fixes holey jumpers and jeans.

Harine Uthayakumar is 16 and has been playing the violin with local charity Big Noise for nine years. She studies at the Royal Conservatoire junior department and is preparing for her Highers. Harine would love to become a journalist.

A special thanks goes to our advertisers

Magikats, Rags to Riches, Streetlevel Photoworks, Studio 70, Take Me Somewhere and Tramway.

Want to advertise in our next issue? Email advertising@greatergovanhill.com

We’re also grateful to every one of our members who help us to keep going, even when times are tight. If you enjoy the magazine and want to support us with just a few quid a month, visit: community.greatergovanhill.com

Credits

Cover Image Rahela Cirpaci, photographed by Mark Gillies

Editor Rhiannon J. Davies

Creative Director Laura Hurst

Editorial Assistant Jack Howse

Staff Journalists Devon McCole and Samar Jamal

Editorial Support Eve Livingston

Words by Chanderkiran Thakur, Devon McCole, Flora Zajicek, Harine Uthayakumar, Isaac Harris, Jack Howse, Jude Hunter, Marzanna Antoniak, Melanie Goldberg, Neil Scott, Peilin Shi, Peter Mohan, Rahela Cirpaci, Sam Gonçalves, Samar Jamal, The Anymen, Toni Bruce and Yifei Liu

Photos by Alexander Hoyles, Iain McLellan, Jamie Hepburn, Mark Gillies, Morwenna Kearsley, KM Music Conservatory, Romano Lav’s Community Catalysts, Samar Jamal, Simon Murphy, Yifei Liu and Zianib Ahmad

Illustrations by Aled Haywood, Laura Wade and Sasha Delmage

Translations by Rahela Cirpaci and Yifei Liu

Printed by Gladstone Print Ltd