Over 1500 people gathered in Kings Heath on July 2nd to celebrate Eid al-Fitr in an unprecedented event that welcomed people of all faith and backgrounds.
Curated and presented by Culture Forward’s founding partner Soul City Arts, in conjunction with Kings Heath BID, the event was the first public Eid event to take place outdoors on the Kings Heath High Street.
Residents and neighbours were treated to performance, poetry, a delicious array of local cuisine, and the opportunity to experience the local businesses. Live painters Will Barras, Asia Alfasi, and Martin Travers created captivating art during the day and the square was buzzing with the excitement and wonder of a community coming together and genuinely connecting.
Culture Forward hosted a stall showcasing items from the Mingana Collection and were absorbed in meaningful conversations with the public about the Birmingham Qur’an and how they would like to engage with it in the future.
Two images, the first of Narmin Ismayilova speaking to a member of the public., the second Sally Delbeke manning the Qur'an stall,
Mohammed Ali, Artistic Director of Soul City Arts and the founder of Eid in Kings Heath, shared his perspective: "Our cities don’t really provide enough spaces for people of all background to come together, so we have to create these spaces ourselves. Our faith celebrations can and should be celebrated with the wider community regardless of their background.”
Supported by All Saints Church and another Culture Forward partner Birmingham City Council, the celebration exemplified unity amidst Kings Heath's diverse population and Culture Forward are so proud to have been part of it.
From left to right: Ewan Fernie (Culture Forward Academic Director), Mohammed Ali (Soul City Arts Artistic Director), and Sally Delbeke (Culture Forward Partnerships Manager)
Culture Forward is a new initiative that aims to bring the University, the City, and Birmingham’s cultural organisations into even closer and more creative conjunction.
Chair of Shakespeare Studies and Fellow
Biographical and contact information for Professor Ewan Fernie in the Shakespeare Institute at the University of Birmingham.
