Celebrate friendship through diversity at this year’s Respect
Published: 4 June 2024
Exeter will be celebrating Friendship through Diversity this weekend when the 27th Respect Festival gets underway in the heart of the city.
Running across the weekend – from Saturday 8 to Sunday 9 June – in Belmont Park, Exeter, this year’s Respect Festival is predicted to be bigger and better than before, according to organisers.
Festival goers are set to be treated to a feast of live music, dance and entertainment.
Exeter Respect, which is supported by the City Council, has been going since 1997 and is the city’s annual celebration of diversity, where performing and creative arts are used to engage the wider community in saying no to racism and all forms of prejudice.
This year’s event is in memory of Chris Newman, a past member of Respect’s organising committee.
There’s so much for festival goers to see and do. Sounds from around the globe are set to fill the air from the outdoor stages and open mic. This year’s headliners are: The South African Cultural Gospel Choir UK, who take to the stage on Saturday; and Shumba Tribe, who will bring their ‘dynamic blend of drumming, dance and song’ on the Sunday.
There will also be a community stage exposing hidden local talent, global street food, crafts, clothing, children’s activities and so much more. The festival once more is alcohol free so non-alcoholic cocktails will be available.
To sustain the festival there will be an entrance fee for each day of £2, with under 16s getting in free. Saturday doors open at 11:30am and the festival starts at 12noon. On Sunday doors and the festival open at 11am. To find out more visit https://www.exeter-respect.org/