Festivals / diaspora
The DIASPORA! 26 programme is announced with a drive to be inclusive, accessible and flexible
Following a successful pilot event in 2024, the Diverse Artists Network (DAN) have announced the full programme for their biennial DIASPORA! festival, which is set to return on May 1.
Its goal is to champion the incredible creative diversity within the region. “Bristol is far more multicultural than its main stages often suggest”, DAN comments.
“DIASPORA! exists to spotlight the ‘unheard and undiscovered’, providing the time and attention diverse communities deserve to tell their stories.
From the festival closing ceremony, ‘The Dances of Diaspora’ at Bristol Cathedral, May 2024
“In these unnerving times, the festival serves as a vital space to stand together as a global community.”
The landmark festival has now doubled in length, with around 100 events taking place in venues across Bristol over a 10-day period, from workshops and exhibitions to music and theatre performances, as well as plenty of family friendly listings.
There will be plenty of family-friendly arts and crafts activities and workshops taking place as part of the 10-day festival
At its heart, DIASPORA! 26 is emblematic of what its founding director, Deasy Bamford calls “the power of collaboration and the unique spirit of Bristol”.
The festival has also put inclusion, accessibility and flexibility at its heart. The gentle daily rhythm of programming – “designed to suit all paces” – offers morning wellbeing sessions, active afternoons replete with talks and workshops, and exciting nights full of performances, DJ sets and bands.
Ceremonial drumming at DIASPORA!, 2024
Many events are free, and a flexible ‘pay what you can’ ticketing and donation model for others ensures that DAN can continue its essential work in supporting underrepresented creatives. Free places will be offered to refugees, asylum seekers and anyone else in need of them.
Amongst the many highlights of DIASPORA! 26 are the Diverse Artists Network Exhibition, which opens at Arnolfini on May 1 and will run until the end of July.
The crowd on their feet at DIASPORA!, May 2024
Across the opening weekend of the festival, Compass Presents will be transforming the streets and shop windows of Bristol’s shopping district, in the multi-day event series Love Letter to Broadmead.
Raise the Bar will host their Poems of Diaspora! special on May 7, featuring poets representing four different continents: Daljit Nagra, Maureen Onwunali, Bohdan Piasecki and Chloe Tenesha.
The festival will take place on a biennial basis – and has doubled in length since the pilot event in 2024
The final weekend of the festival will bring people together at a Global Majority Environment Gathering to discuss ideas and experiences of environmental justice and climate action, with Jose Barco of CoLab International – taking place at The Pickle Factory.
A day-long Desi Day over at Arnolfini will celebrate South Asian culture, music, performance, and community connection. And closing DIASPORA! 26 at Bristol Beacon are Somali disco outfit Dur-Dur Band.
Vandna Mehta and Ruth Pitter speaking at DIASPORA!, May 2024
While many aspects of the programme have been curated and organised by the festival team, it also brings in a host of existing events, becoming what DAN calls “a unified stage for the region’s talent.
“By working together with our incredible partners and artists”, they say, “we have created a platform that not only showcases world-class talent but also ensures that every community feels seen, heard and celebrated. Check out the programme and book yourself some tickets, we can’t wait to see you!”
View this post on Instagram
DIASPORA! takes place across Bristol from May 1-10, with the full programme available now at www.diverseartistsnetwork.com. Follow @diverseartistsnetwork for updates.
The event is supported by The Hugo Burge Foundation and Arts Council England, alongside the dedicated venues and artists who have made the programme possible.
All photos: Freia Turland
Read next:
Our newsletters emailed directly to you
