Black History Month event to celebrate cultural diversity in Harlow

A celebration of Harlow’s cultural diversity will take centre stage in the town’s revamped Market Square on Saturday (October 1).

The event marks the start of Harlow Black History Month and will feature live music and dance performances, African drumming workshops, poetry readings, an art and craft exhibition, a fashion show and stalls selling traditional African food.

Harlow MP Rob Halfon with BHM organiser Efua Sey Koi-Larbi and council chairwoman Sue Livings at last year's event

Organised and funded by PATACC (Performing Arts in Traditional African and Caribbean Cultures), the annual celebration aims to promote community cohesion and respect between people of different backgrounds.

PATACC chairman Michael Koi-Larbi explained: "We want to make the event the premier cultural diversity celebratory event in Harlow and help contribute towards a community where people from different backgrounds feel they all belong and can come together to celebrate a shared sense of belonging."

He added "As a small organisation, PATACC is only able to host the festival and maintain its success due to the generous support of the local community."