Packed festival programme celebrates the unique diversity of Govanhill

The third Govanhill International Festival and Carnival gets underway next week – with a packed programme of music, colour and entertainment for everyone.
Last year's festival, including the hugely popular carnival parade, attracted an audience of over 6000, and organisers are aiming for even bigger attendances this year.Last year's festival, including the hugely popular carnival parade, attracted an audience of over 6000, and organisers are aiming for even bigger attendances this year.
Last year's festival, including the hugely popular carnival parade, attracted an audience of over 6000, and organisers are aiming for even bigger attendances this year.

The annual festival will take place between Thursday, August 1, and Sunday, August 11, and is a celebration of the unique diversity of Govanhill, promoting unity and combatting racism.

Organisers hope to build on the success of last year’s festival, which attracted an audience of over 6000 people.

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The 11-day extravaganza of events including music, dance, walks, talks, workshops, and happenings of all kinds.

Highlights include the first Govanhill Book Festival and CineRoma, the UK’s first ever Roma film festival.

The pinnacle of the festival will be the Govanhill Carnival and Parade on Saturday, August 3, featuring a brass band, bagpipers, Chinese lion dancers, floats, community groups and more, all weaving through the streets of Govanhill in a celebration of diversity.

The parade is followed by the Govanhill Carnival at the Queen’s Park Arena, with music, food, cricket, Kabaddi, Scottish wrestling, Sikh Gotka and a Climate Trail.

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Carnival coordinator Ruby Hirsch said: “The Govanhill International Festival is about taking pride in the amazing diversity of Govanhill and celebrating the fantastic contribution that immigrants have made to community.

“This year is set to be the biggest and most exciting festival yet – don’t miss it!”

To find out what’s on and when, check out the Festival programme

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