That's It for Govanhill International Festival 2023!
“Govanhill illustrates all that is wonderful about Scotland… We welcome diversity, we welcome inclusion” – local MSP Nicola Sturgeon speaking at this year’s carnival. It was another packed year for ‘Scotland premium international festival’ as the streets pulsed with the sights, sounds and smells of this year’s festivities. Here are some of our highlights.
By Jack Howse | Photo by Devon McCole
This year marked the seventh year of the Govanhill International Festival, the annual anti-racist festival that brings together the numerous local art scenes with the community activism. While the festival officially happens in the first two weeks of August, really, the groundwork of the festival happens many weeks and months before then. Event ideas start brewing in every community building in the spring, papier-mâché floats for the parade get doused in glue in June and, organisers start working on it months before then.
Speaking about this year’s event, festival organiser, Jude Mckechnie said:
“This year’s festival has seen our biggest turnout yet! We’ve had thousands of people attending events which seek to fuse art and activism and which look at how we can build the widest possible opposition to state racism. The Parade and Carnival alone saw over fifty community groups and organisations uniting to take a stand against discrimination, and to make it clear to anyone who doubts it, that everyone is welcome here! I want to thank all our partners who took part in the festival, and especially to those who have contributed to the programme of events this year. This festival could not have happened without you.”
The first week of the festival saw a variety of programming around the area, such as book talks on local radical John MacLean, a service for Roma Holocaust Memorial day, and a documentary made about the Kenmure Street protests that screened at Dixon Halls.
Read more: Reflections on the Screening of Glasgow Welcomes Refugees
We also hosted two events for the festival in the first week. We started with the reintroduction of our FONDS project, where local residents share an object that means something to them and shares the story behind it. We heard from previous participants of the project and also heard a sneak preview of our upcoming podcast we have made (stay tuned for updates!).
We also hosted the a workshops for young people in the area where we discuss some of the basics of putting a magazine together. They each produced an article on the stories that matter to them in the local area.
Our workshop with the young people finished just before the start of the Govanhill Parade meaning we could rush down the road to catch it marching down to the gates of Victoria Park. Particular highlights from the parade was the float made at the front of the parade and the sounds of SheBoom whose rhythmic banging filled the streets for many blocks around.
Kiran Thakur, a young committee member at Rumpus Room, said about the parade:
“I’ve really found a home here at Rumpus Room through all the support and celebration we give one another which was showcased in the carnival. There was so much excitement and buzz in the air, I couldn’t help but smile and cheer alongside Rumpus Rooms and all the friends and community I’ve met here.”
At the carnival, local MSP Nicola Sturgeon said:
“This festival showcases everything that is wonderful about Govanhill, and there is much that is wonderful about the community. This festival illustrates and epitomises that – and Govanhill illustrates all that is wonderful about Scotland… We welcome diversity, we welcome inclusion. If you want Scotland to be your home, you are welcome here and we will welcome you with open arms."
Photos of the Govanhill Parade by Alexander Hoyles
Afterwards, attendees danced to some of the acts on the stage and got to know all the different community organisations working in and around Govanhill.
But the parade and carnival only marked the midway point of the festival! In the following week there were plenty more screenings, talks, workshops and everything in-between. One particular highlight happened just across from us in the Community Newsroom at Bee Knees cafe where local councillor Elaine Gallagher sat in conversation with acclaimed author Harry Josephine Giles — who was an artist in residents at the Baths ten years ago. Jack from the Greater Govanhill team managed to catch up with the poet in the days leading up to events.
Read more: An Interview with Poet, Harry Josephine Giles
We also took the opportunity to air a radio show made by participants of our radio journalism skills workshops. This was the first time producing audio stories for participants, and the diversity of the packages recorded really reflected the diversity of the group – and this neighbourhood.
Listen back here
And in last weekend’s bright Sunday sunshine, the Govanhill International Street Music Festival marked the end of the celebrations. Across the road from The Community Newsroom, two choirs performed outside Bees Knees Cafe. While we show the Romano Lav film, April 17th, as part of the Radical Reels trail. Outside Transylvania Cafe, was a soundsystem party with some of Govanhill’s finest DJs pumping out music and a family friendly street party.
Reflecting on the festival, Jude said:
“I hope that this year’s festival leaves people with a feeling that we need more opportunities and events that celebrate all that this life has to offer and everything that we are. Every year, the festival gives us a glimpse of the kind of world that is possible when we work together and continue to show up for each other, and that world is one which serves the needs of all of us and is built on compassion, curiosity and care.
We all have a part to play in turning this climate of fear, divisiveness and intimidation into a joyous celebration of solidarity and unity. I’m so proud of Govanhill and what this festival says about the kind of community we are and the kind of people we continue to aspire to be.”
And with that, the festival ended for another year… Roll on 2024!