Film, Song And Dance To Mark Derry's One World Festival

Music and dance performances and film screenings from across the world will be the centrepiece at the Guildhall Square in Derry later this month as the city celebrates its growing cultural diversity.

Other events - such as the international food fair - will also take place in the Foyle Language School.

The organisers of the 'One World Festival' are the Foyle Multicultural Forum who promised that Londonderry's one day celebration - at the end of the month - will be an even greater success than it was last year.

Promised events include a range of international music and dance performances, films shows, crafts fair, song contests, multicultural food, games for children, face painting, workshops, documentary films and exhibitions, all of which will feature in the event on Saturday, May 31.

Chairman of the Foyle Multicultural Forum, Eddie Kerr said: "People from 51 different nationalities have come to live in Derry and as many as 58 languages are spoken here.

"In this light, bringing the ethnic minorities and the local community on the same stage gains immense significance and the festival will act as a springboard towards that motive."

Festival Co-Ordinator Rhina Lopez and Carmen Rubio said: "The arrangements are highly structured in order to throw enough light on the different aspects of various cultures that exist here at the moment.

"As for the movies, the finest of films will be screened from China, India, Spain, France, Iran, Italy and Africa. Dance and music from Ireland, Hungary, Africa, Bangladesh, Spain and India will feature at the festival.

"There will also be different and popular cuisine from India, China, Spain, Switzerland, France Italy, Ireland, and so on."

A special 'gig rig' will be set up in Guildhall Square while several special exhibitions will be on show. The festival will open at 11am and run until 7 pm.

(BMcC)