Expo-Nations 2011 – Celebrating Belfast’s Cultural Diversity

Place of Victory for all Nations (PVN) has announced the programme for Expo-Nations 2011, a full day of exciting and informative events taking place on Saturday 13th August at the Europa Exhibition Centre, Belfast.

Expo-Nations, now in its third year, is a colourful showcase of the City’s cultural diversity. This year’s programme is loaded, starting at 1pm and running through to 9pm, and it’s sure to attract people of all ages and communities from all over the country. Highlights include an international arts exhibition, a fashion show, a live cultural quiz show, children’s entertainment (Expo-Kidz), cultural performances and a live world music concert.

The events will be officially opened by the Lord Mayor, Councillor Niall Ó Donnghaile. Angela Ifonlaja, Project Co-Ordinator, says: “Expo-Nations compliments the efforts towards a dynamic, peaceful and shared Northern Ireland by celebrating the cultural diversity present in the City and providing a forum where people from many different communities and backgrounds can come together to learn more about each other in a relaxed and fun-filled environment. As we learn about our similarities and appreciate each other’s uniqueness, we discover how we can further develop inter-community ties that will harness the strengths of each community represented in the City for the benefit of all. It is very much an interactive two-way learning experience for both migrant and host communities in Northern Ireland.”

Expo-Nations is one of Belfast’s featured events that highlights how well it is moving on to being a truly culturally dynamic city. The symbolism of Expo-Nations in pulling together resources and talents from various community groups in our city resonates with the shared future that, as a developing cosmopolitan city, we are working towards. It speaks of the progressive journey that we have already made. The project is supported by various organisations, community groups, NGOs and local government organisations such as, Belfast City Council, the PSNI and Unite Against Hate.

Expo-Nations highlights the positive contributions of migrants to the province and is visible proof of the exciting new opportunities that the efforts towards good inter-community relations are creating right in the heart of this City.

Please go to www.expo-nations.org.uk for further information on the programme.