Diverse Scotland: Stronger, Better, Together World Culture and Diversity Day
Govan, Friday 19th May 2023
Would he come? Or would he be a no-show? Did anyone know? Was anyone in the know? These particular questions had been buzzing around Govan and Linthouse Parish Church since 10 am on the morning of Friday the 19th of May, when a team of around 30 volunteers and technicians arrived to set up for an event.
The man these volunteers were wondering about was, of course, none other than Scotland’s First Minister and local MSP, Humza Yousaf. And the event, which had taken over three months to plan and organise, was to mark the United Nations designated World Day for Culture and Diversity – a local community led multicultural festival at which Glaswegians could experience music, song, food and heritage stories from around the world.
The event was planned and organised by Glasgow’s No.1 Befriending Agency, the Mears Group, and Safety Awareness Glasgow, a Govan-based organisation founded in 2015, that advocates for and empowers new Glaswegians, helping them to find not just their feet but also housing and employment. Further funding and support were also provided by Elderpark Housing and National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The day’s programme curator, Fummi Fajemiseye, an inspirational diversity and community leader, demonstrated the value of multiculturalism. Speaking passionately to the crowd, Fummi foregrounded the importance of diversity and community cohesion to Govan - considered to be one of the most culturally diverse areas of Glasgow - where all are welcome and no one is excluded.
But actions speak louder than words. And this was certainly the case with Funmi Fajemiseye’s programming of the event. A wide range of nations and ethnicities were represented on the day through music, dance, poetry and, of course, food. The crowd danced and sang along with acts as diverse as the African Speaking Drum, violinists from Romania, Govan’s Community Project Samba Band, Maslow’s Ukulele Band, ‘Bardan’ the Kurdish trio, and Gaelic singer Ruaridh Gray, to name but a few. The atmosphere was truly electric, everybody had the best fun and – very important for any Scot – a full belly, with local chefs showcasing food from Afghanistan, Sierra Leone, India and more.
But what of First Minister Humza Yousaf? Did he show up?
Of course he did! Arriving an hour after the doors opened and leaving with the last stragglers. On Twitter afterwards, Mr Yousaf enthused about the joys and benefits of a truly diverse Scotland, whilst reminding us that this is no new thing at all. “Scotland is a nation of emigrants and immigrants” our First Minister proudly proclaimed. “Our diversity and differences are a strength that should always be celebrated. Well done to all those who organised and made it such a special day.”
And a special day it was, forsooth. Scotland, Glasgow, and especially Govan should bask in their multicultural glory. Scottish diversity can and will only make us stronger, better, together.
To watch the video from World Day for Cultural Diversity please click here
