Music, food and dance to celebrate diversity in Waterford

A number of diversity events will be coming to Waterford in the coming weeks.

On May 6, a family-friendly, free music event, 'One Waterford, One People' will celebrate diversity in the Deise.

The gathering will take place in the People’s Park from 2pm to 5pm and will feature a global array of music acts from Ukraine, Brazil, India, the Philippines, Africa and more, along with a host of Irish musicians including a céilí band and drummers from Waterford Academy of Music and Arts.

David Lane, President of the Waterford Trades Council explains how the event will bring together many different nationalities who call Waterford home.

He said: "Celebrating the music and culture of different cultures and nationalities is important, especially as Ireland is now home to an estimated 160 different peoples from across the world. Waterford has a great tradition of welcoming people and getting people to work together for the betterment of all, and trade unions have been at the heart of that."

“Music events also help foster and deepen understanding of various ethnic backgrounds. The event in the People's Park is exactly that, a gathering to celebrate One Waterford, One People as we all strive to make Ireland an even better place in which to live and work," he added.

Katherine Collins, Project Manager of Waterford’s Cultural Quarter (WCQ) said: “This event is very much aligned with the goals of WCQ, in making Waterford an open, welcoming, creative, and vibrant place for people of all nationalities to live, work and play.” 

The bandstand at the People's Park will be the focal point for the event and Waterford Sports Partnership will also be providing games for children in the vicinity.

While there will be no food stalls in the park, families are encouraged to bring a picnic, enjoy the music, soak up the atmosphere, and bring home any rubbish generated.

The event, which takes place on Bank Holiday Monday afternoon, is weather dependent and further notices and updates will be provided closer to the date on social media postings.

The One Waterford, One People event is being organised by Waterford Trades Council with support from Waterford City and County Council, and community organisations and agencies including Waterford Area Partnership, Waterford Sports Partnership and Waterford New Communities Network. 

Similarly, Waterford City & County Council will host Africa Day Waterford 2024 on Saturday, May 25, from 12pm to 5pm in Waterford’s Cultural Quarter. 

Events will be held in every county in Ireland, and the annual day of celebrations has now been running in Waterford for a number of years, with the aim of better informing the indigenous population about the diverse and vibrant African Culture across the county.

Previous years of the celebration included everything from traditional live music and drumming, to children's workshops, crafts displays and a street food market rich with foods from different African countries. 

This year, various cultural activities including music, dance, theatre and more will take place in the Hub. A number of information stands will also be erected by community organisations.

A street food market with coffee roasting and Ethiopian bread tasting are included in the programme, as are African themed workshops and creative children's workshops with drumming and arts. Produce stalls, African crafts displays, and face painting will similarly return this year, along with a seating area for older residents to play traditional African games.