Greater Govanhill is thrilled to be taking part in this year’s BHASHA Glasgow Language festival. Organised by Thriving Places Govanhill alongside several other partners, the festival is a celebration of the city’s many languages and the people who speak them. February 21st marks the International Mother Language Day. Join us for language sessions, multilingual performances, talks, and more.
Opening Ceremony - Bhasha Glasgow Language Festival
Sunday, 21st February, International Mother Language Day, 11am
Join us for the opening ceremony of Bhasha Glasgow Language Festival 2021!
The Thriving Places Govanhill team will share the highlights of our packed programme of events - plus a sneak peek of where to spot the illusive multilingual stencils!
The Bangladesh Association Glasgow, who founded the Bhasha festival in 2019, will give an introduction to the history of International Mother Language Day, which started in honour of the people who fought for the recognition of the Bangla language back in 1952.
We will also hear a speech from Alison Phipps, professor of Languages and Intercultural Studies, and UNESCO Chair in Refugee Integration through Languages and the Arts.
Rhiannon Davies of Greater Govanhill will introduce the Greater Govanhill Talks project, which will partner people with strangers who have a different mother tongue for an online conversation with prompts.
There will be some opportunities to interact, too. We’re looking forward to seeing you all!
Sign up here: https://forms.gle/iQSUV98pv5PPaHtn6
Glasgow Language Survey Launch
Sunday, 21st February, 1pm
Gaelic? Russian? Arabic? Italian? Romanes? Xhosa? Have you ever walked down a Glasgow street and wondered what languages the people around you are speaking?
An estimated 158 languages are spoken in Scotland, but nobody really knows how many we speak in Glasgow, and what are all the niche ones. Here is our chance to find out. If you’re Glaswegian or have a strong connection with our friendly city, enjoy filling in this quick community survey.
The survey will launch at 1 pm on Sunday 21st February to mark the beginning of Glasgow Language Festival. The link will be posted here then. The initial results will be revealed at the Festival’s Closing Ceremony, and later on the Bhasha Glasgow Language Festival Facebook page. Let's see how many languages are spoken in Glasgow!
A Celebration of Multilingualism - with Bilingualism Matters and Multi-Mind
Sunday, 21st February, 2pm
Come celebrate multilingualism at a fun online event on International Mother Language Day with Bilingualism Matters and MultiMind! Combining information from research about bilingualism, a quiz, and general discussion, this event is for anyone interested to learn more about multilingualism in general as well as multilingualism in the different countries. Join Bilingualism Matters Edinburgh in a celebration and discussion of multilingualism and its myths and facts.
International Mother Language day is a worldwide annual observance held on the 21st of February which aims to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity, and multilingualism. The MultiMind project is offering simultaneous virtual events this February in the countries they are partnered with, and in a range of languages to celebrate the day. We are thrilled to host an event within the Bhasha Glasgow Language Festival this year!
Sign up here: forms.gle/iQSUV98pv5PPaHtn6
Myths & facts of multilingualism - a talk by Professor Antonella Sorace, Bilingualism Matters
Sunday, 21st of February, 2pm
More details coming soon!
Sign up here:https://forms.gle/iQSUV98pv5PPaHtn6
Greater Govanhill Talks
Sunday, 21st February, 5pm
Want to speak to someone outside your bubble? Recent research showed that at least 88 languages are spoken by residents of Govanhill. But how often do you get to have a proper chat with someone new who speaks a different language to you?
Many people we’ve spoken to said that during lockdown, one of the things they miss most is the random social interactions that we might normally have with people outside of our friendship groups.
Sign up to be randomly paired with someone who has a different mother tongue to you. There will be a group welcome and then you’ll be placed into a break-out room for a one-on-one chat. Don’t worry if you’re feeling shy, a facilitator will be present for introductions/ice breakers and conversation prompts will be provided.
Sign up here: https://hello437448.typeform.com/to/iq06h5sB
Experiment in Collaborative Multilingual Poetry Writing
Monday, 22nd February, 7:30 pm
No better way to write about language and multilingualism than to do it in many tongues!
Join this experimental creative writing session where we will explore the essence of language and dip into the meanings of words and phrases in different languages. Bring your native tongue and all the bits of other languages that you’ve got. We will attempt to write multilingual poetry drawing on each other’s linguistic and cultural insights…
Sign up here: forms.gle/iQSUV98pv5PPaHtn6
Language & Communication in Art - Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre
Tuesday, 23rd February, 3pm
Sharmanka will be presenting a Language and Communication in Art talk where you will have an opportunity to meet some of our team, hear about their personal experience of learning new languages, their own intercultural journey and how Sharmanka’s art played a major role in communication over the years. We will also cover themes such as “understanding mentality” and “accessibility in a multimedia artform”. As part of the talk we will show some of Sharmanka’s artwork in live action and open the session to Q&A.
Sign up here: https://forms.gle/iQSUV98pv5PPaHtn6
The Sound Lab Show @ Radio Buena Vida (Guest Appearance)
Wednesday , 24th February, 6pm
Radio Buena Vida – Community internet station broadcasting live from Glasgow
Broadcast from Victoria Road's own Radio Buena Vida in Some Great Reward, The Sound Lab are joined by the Bhasha Glasgow Language Festival organisers to share some highlights from the festival programme and their favourite tunes from around the world.
Glesga banter: A celebration of Weegie culture
Thursday 25th January, 6pm
Join us for an hour of wee stories, poetry, and song.
Hosted by Marion Nisbet a community councillor in Govanhill, an antiracist, antipoverty feminist who enjoys growing food, community and resistance. Marion will be joined by her pals:
Lesley O'Brien is a singer, poet, and professional storyteller who has worked for Glasgow Women's Aid for almost 30 years.
Big Barney fae Carlton studios, teller of terrible jokes, tall tales and founding member of The Carlton Jug Band.
Sign up here: forms.gle/iQSUV98pv5PPaHtn6
Our World Saved in Translation
Friday 26th February, 1pm
Translators and interpreters have helped to shape some of the most pivotal moments of world history, yet they are often overlooked. Join court interpreter and language aficionado Zeina Lubus as she explores the past, present of future of translation, and the crucial role it plays in enacting global change.
Sign up via this form: https://forms.gle/iQSUV98pv5PPaHtn6
A taste of Bangla with BAG
Friday, 26th February, 6pm
Bangladesh Association Glasgow (BAG) hosts a taster session to bring Bangla to different language speakers. The audience will be introduced with Bangla alphabets, phonation and common words through rhymes and songs. Bangla is an eastern Indo-Aryan language which evolved from Sanskrit and Maghadi Prakrit since the first millenium BC. Over a period of time, words from Arabic, English, Portugese, Armenian, Dutch and many other languages were borrowed in Bangla from travellers. Please join us on 26 February. Have a taste of Bangla!
Sign up here: https://forms.gle/iQSUV98pv5PPaHtn6
Roma People and Their Language
Saturday, 27th February , 10am
Join Emilia Gaziova, a Govanhill local and native Romanes speaker who works with Community Renewal, as she gives an insight into the language and culture of the Roma people. From food to music, dance, idioms, and everything in between, prepare to be wowed by this vibrant and ancient culture!
Sign up here: https://forms.gle/iQSUV98pv5PPaHtn6
Verse Universe: an evening of world poetry and song
Saturday, 27th February, 7pm
Join us for a joyous celebration of some of the many different cultures brought to Glasgow by those who’ve made their home here. Tune in for poetry and songs in languages of the world including Portuguese, Arabic, Polish, Scots, and more.
Sign up here: https://forms.gle/iQSUV98pv5PPaHtn6
Closing ceremony
Saturday, 27th February, 11am
Join us to share impressions and highlights from the 2021 Bhasha Glasgow Language Festival, and hopes and ideas for next year! We can’t wait to reveal the initial results from the Glasgow Language Survey and discover how many languages are spoken in our city.
We will also hear from Thriving Places Govanhill and the Cosmopolis Creative Group who led on this year’s festival, Bangladesh Association Glasgow who are the original founders of Bhasha, and the Open Museum team from Glasgow Life.
Let’s give Bhasha a good send off and get inspired for 2022! Sign up here: https://forms.gle/iQSUV98pv5PPaHtn6
Govanhill Polyglot Sessions
Govanhill Polyglot Sessions were originally established by Thriving Places Govanhill to bring together residents of Govanhill and wider Glasgow to mingle in each other’s languages. Govanhill, where at least 88 languages are spoken within a 1 km² area is believed to be the most ethnically diverse neighbourhood in Scotland.
Arabic meetup
Tuesday , 23rd February, 6pm
Join our Arabic session as part of the Glasgow Language Festival! If you’re a true beginner, you’ll be guided by a teacher to learn your first words and phrases. If you’ve already got a grasp of the language, then enjoy a casual conversation in Arabic with native speakers and your fellow learners.
The session is open to everyone, but places are limited. Sign up via this form: forms.gle/HvvUQ5yEchwNbk3u8 and you'll be emailed meeting details to join us on Zoom.
Gaelic taster class
Thursday, 25rd February, 12.30pm
Join our taster session of Gaelic as part of the Glasgow Language Festival! Did you know that Scotland had three official languages? Gaelic is one of them! Come along and learn your first words and phrases from a Southside-based Glaswegian.
The session is open to everyone, but places are limited. Sign up via this form: forms.gle/HvvUQ5yEchwNbk3u8 and you'll be emailed meeting details to join us on Zoom.
Polish meet-up
Wednesday, 24th February, 12.30pm
Join our Polish session as part of the Glasgow Language Festival! If you’re a true beginner, you’ll be guided by a teacher to learn your first words and phrases. If you’ve already got a grasp of the language, then enjoy a casual conversation in Polish with native speakers and your fellow learners.
The session is open to everyone, but places are limited.
Sign up via this form: forms.gle/HvvUQ5yEchwNbk3u8 and you'll be emailed meeting details to join us on Zoom.
Romanes (Slovak) taster class
Monday, 22nd February, 6pm
Join our taster session of Slovak Romanes as part of the Glasgow Language Festival! Did you know that a large population of Roma people made their home in Govanhill on the Southside of Glasgow? Come along and learn your first words and phrases with Community Renewal’s native Romanes speakers Emilia and Sabrina.
The session is open to everyone, but places are limited. Sign up via this form: forms.gle/HvvUQ5yEchwNbk3u8 and you'll be emailed meeting details to join us on Zoom.
Romanes (Romanian) taster class
Wednesday, 24th February, 7pm
Join our taster session of Romanian Romanes as part of the Glasgow Language Festival! Did you know that a large population of Roma people made their home in Govanhill on the Southside of Glasgow? Come along and learn your first words and phrases with Romano Lav’s native Romanes speaker Rahela.
The session is open to everyone, but places are limited. Sign up via this form: forms.gle/HvvUQ5yEchwNbk3u8 and you'll be emailed meeting details to join us on Zoom.
BSL taster class
Friday, 26th February, 4pm
Join our British Sign Language (BSL) taster session as part of the Glasgow Language Festival! Did you know that Scotland had three official languages? British Sign Language is one of them! Come along and learn to sign your first words and phrases with Tauseeb from the Scottish Ethnic Minority Deaf Club based in Glasgow’s Southside.
The session is open to everyone, but places are limited. Sign up via this form: forms.gle/HvvUQ5yEchwNbk3u8 and you'll be emailed meeting details to join us on Zoom.
Spanish meetup
Wednesday, 24th February, 5pm
Join our Spanish session as part of the Glasgow Language Festival! If you’re a true beginner, you’ll be guided by a teacher to learn your first words and phrases. If you’ve already got a grasp of the language, then enjoy a casual conversation in Spanish with native speakers and your fellow learners.
The session is open to everyone, but places are limited. Sign up via this form: forms.gle/HvvUQ5yEchwNbk3u8 and you'll be emailed meeting details to join us on Zoom.
Made possible by the Winter Social Wellbeing Fund from Impact Funding Partners