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Radiate Windrush Festival 2019

Further Press Information for Radiate Windrush Festival 2019

Why This Festival:

The London festival scene is awash with a variety of options for all the family, from cats to cheese to your wildest imaginative dream. Surprisingly though, we were still missing a festival to celebrate the 1948 anniversary of Windrush migration and 7 decades of generational off-spring born in Britain since. As an organisation, we knew there was a need to acknowledge such an important event for the black community with a celebration of this size and scale. 2018 happened to be the perfect year to launch the first Radiate Windrush Festival with the backing and empowerment of the community.

A major turning point for culture in the UK was the Windrush, as it was the demographic change that became the foundation of what we now know as Multiculturalism. It was also the early stages of creating a blended cultural identity that became known as Black British Culture. It's important for us to recognise that to varying degrees across the UK, culture and vernacular from the Caribbean, African and Creole communities is now well embedded in British life, dance, music, language and represents a large part of the expression in British youth identity. Even though there has been this integration many still cannot identify or understand the unique differences between the various black sub-cultures. For our black communities in the UK when it comes to education, raising children, food, dance, music, traditional practices, spiritual beliefs and communication it is not one country covers all. By creating this annual event, we are taking the opportunity to share a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the black communities around us.

This festival sets out to explore, express and share the rich individual personalities of all the many countries that make up our variety of black communities.

Ethos & Vision

Our vision for the Radiate Windrush Festival is to build a community spirited event which open for all to attend who appreciate and want to officially celebrate the Windrush. Wanda Nation are passionate about promoting a better understanding of the overarching black identity in Britain and sharing the inter-cultural differences within the black community itself.

Wanda Nation understand the importance of authenticity and will always work to deliver a festival environment actually curated and presented from the black perspective. Radiate Windrush Festival will always be a thorough representation of the collective black community young and old with the aim of feeling relevant to those who once felt their history being long separate from the central cultural identity of Britain.

The Radiate Windrush Festival is set to be an annual staple in the summer festival diary sharing with all those that want to show some heartfelt love and appreciation.

2018 Festival in Review

Delivering a 5000 person capacity festival for a start-up producer is no simple task, with an entire infrastructure to source, prep, install, maintain and deconstruct it was all hands on deck for our small but dedicated team of volunteers. We begged, cajoled and pulled in so many favours that we really do owe a lot of glasses of wine and cups of coffee to new found friends and long-time Bredrines. Alongside a 2 day festival we were also extremely proud to be able to commission and display the largest and only 20ft x 10ft Digital Art Mural commemorating 70 years of the Windrush. 4 generations of the family came out and for many it was the first time marking the date with a celebration of sorts there were Food Trucks, Jerk Pans, Juice Vendors, Hair Stylists, Real Sound Systems, DJs, Storytellers, Nyahbinghi Drummers, Community Groups, Live Music from local Reggae, Dancehall, Jazz & Soul Artists, Dancing from African & Caribbean groups with a special 50's themed Windrush arrival performance. Crowds of young and old event goers travelled from across London and the UK to descend upon the iconic Crystal Palace Park with revelry, laughter, community-spirit and family unity over the 2 hot and sun-filled days. Not everything was perfect but it was a darn good start for a new addition to the London festival scene.

The event itself was certainly a labour of love and dedication from all who volunteered their time and passion to see a vision fulfilled. 2019 will see the continuation of a heavy community contribution from vendors, performers & business owners from the Caribbean, African and Creole speaking communities. There will also be a strong emphasis on celebrating the historical aspects of the Windrush and a range of features to highlight the sub-cultural diversity within the black community.

2019 Festival Features

Windrush Village
Windrush Mural
Afro Arts Workshops
Specialist Arts & Craft Artisans
Live Cultural Performances (Dance, Music, Historical and more)
Authentic Caribbean, Creole & African Food Village
Community Disscusion Space
Exchanging Culture Groups
Sound Systems & DJs
Kids Activity & Play Zone
Health & Well-Being Hub

Set Up and Structure

A 2 day outdoor weekend festival starting on Saturday 22 June ending on Sunday 23 June 2019

Radiate Windrush Festival – Crystal Palace, London

Windrush Festival Event Page - http://www.radiatefestival.com/festivals/windrush

Saturday 22 June 2019 | 12:00 – 20:00 (12pm – 8pm)
Sunday 23 June 2019 | 12:00 – 20:00 (12pm – 8pm)

Day tickets are available in advance from £5.00 - Children 4 and under are free
Follow @radiatefestival #radiatewindrushfestival

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Wanda Nation