Come and celebrate the rich international heritage in Cumbria where 8% of the population heritage is from across the seven seas.  Share  food, music, dance, arts, crafts, games through performances and workshops. The world comes to Workington. With over 70 languages spoken in Cumbria Schools and over 80 nationalities living and working in Cumbria, let's share and make new friends and get involved!  This is a community event to share our similarities and celebrate our differences!

Deadline for entries has been extended to 22nd November 2023

The winning entries will be judged by none other than Cumbria’s own Great British Bake Off star Abbi Lawson, from Tebay.

For more information on the cake and writing competition and to enter, visit https://multiculturalcumbria.org.uk/cake-comp/

Experience the essence of South Indian cuisine with Dosa Chaska who will be cooking up a storm in the kitchen during Culture Bazaar West. Dosa Chaska is a family-run business who take pride in serving authentic dosas crafted with care, using time-honoured recipes and the finest ingredients. Dosa Chaska’s journey began with a simple idea: to bring the vibrant flavours of India’s streets to Whitehaven.

We'll be serving hot teas and coffees and soft drinks in the main canteen. All proceeds from sales made on the day go back into supporting the work we do.

Hot drinks, Cold drinks, Crisps and sandwiches.  Volunteer vouchers are used here too.

Syrian cuisine mainly uses eggplant, zucchini, garlic, meat (mostly from lamb and sheep), sesame seeds, rice, chickpeas, fava beans, lentils, cabbage, cauliflower, vine leaves, pickled turnips, cucumbers, tomatoes, olive oil, lemon juice, mint, pistachios, honey and fruits.

Afghans eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. Common fruits include dates, melons and other dried fruits. Common vegetables include eggplant, spinach, potato, carrot, peas, onion, legumes, tomato, cucumber and lettuce. Fresh mint and coriander are also very common.

The most famous traditional Ukrainian dishes are borshch, varenyky, holubtsi, Chicken Kyiv, banosh, and syrnyky,  Ukrainian dishes borshch, varenyky, holubtsy, Chicken Kyiv, banosh, and syrnyky.

Born in the UK with my parents  from West Africa, Ghana and Sierra Leone.  I have several strings to my bow as I am the director of JMA Occasions a CIC company setup in Cumbria to address and tackle Community and Social issues within Carlisle and its surrounding areas. This is done through positive and constructive events, workshops and discussions. 

Joy Dale is a Carlisle based African dancer who certainly lives up to her name and will lead you on an African journey - through traditional dance rituals, infectious earthy rhythms and all the latest moves, the sessions will connect your body, mind, and soul!  Joy will deliver an African dance workshop and will also perform at Culture Bazaar West.

Punjabi Roots Academy offer a wide range of Indian creative arts and music workshops along with professional performances, here they can offer a range of interactive and engaging workshops which can be a ‘taster session’ or even a series of sessions leading up to a grand performance.

We are delighted Blue Jam will be at Culture Bazaar West where they will be performing and also delivering a Gamelan workshop. BlueJam Arts CIC is an innovative community music and arts organisation based in Penrith, Cumbria.  BlueJam Arts run a full programme of inclusive creative workshops, training, and professional and community performance activities and events – everything from 121 music lessons, a children’s orchestra and jazz jams to gamelan groups, painting sessions and gigs (and most things in between!).

Clog dancing is most notably associated with the 19th century Lancashire cotton mills, with towns like Colne. It is here that the term 'heel and toe' was first used, derived from the changes made to the clog in the 1500s

Based in Carlisle, Pride in North Cumbria is a charitable organisation that provides social.  Support services to LGBT+ people, aged between 13 and 25 years. Pride in North Cumbria will have a stall at Culture Bazaar West and will also be offering a fun badge making workshop.

The stories used come from across the world with familiar fairy stories adapted to suit today’s world.  Stories have the themes of friendship and love, diversity, cultural, social and personal differences and connections with different traditions. Children and their adults are invited to participate using musical instruments, to wear a storyteller’s cloak if they choose.  Magic dust available, lots of interesting objects which can be touched and held.  Read more

They’ll be on hand at Culture Bazaar West to tell you more about the life saving work they do.