Lord Mayor praises Exeter’s diverse and inclusive festival
Published: 13 June 2023
An Exeter festival which celebrates diversity and inclusivity has been praised by the Lord Mayor of Exeter for its core values.
Exeter Respect Festival took place in Belmont Park at the weekend wowing hundreds of spectators with a vibrant and eclectic mix of live music, dance performances and workshops deriving from all four corners of the globe.
The Festival celebrated its 26th Anniversary and was attended by the Lord Mayor of Exeter Cllr Kevin Mitchell.
Aimed to bring communities together to celebrate differences and commonalities, this year’s theme was ‘Diversity Built Britain’.
Opening the Festival, Cllr Mitchell said the theme was very fitting as the country prepares to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the Windrush ship HMT Empire Windrush on 22 of June 1948, but also the 75th anniversary of the National Health Service on the 5 July.
“My day job is as a cancer specialist nurse at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital and like every single hospital across this country I have the honour to work with a very diverse group of colleagues,” he said.
“Indeed, highly skilled and compassionate individuals from approximately 100 nationalities work alongside me and without you all, the hospital would not function. So oh yes, diversity has certainly built our NHS and built Britain!”
Cllr Michell added: “Exeter is an increasingly diverse city, we are a tolerant and welcoming city and that is due in part to events like Respect.”
Festival goers were able to enjoy a kaleidoscope of performances. Distinguished stars Revelation Roots and Reggae Musicians entertained crowds on the Saturday, while the Batch Gueye Band a Senegalese group from Bristol brought the heart of West Africa to Exeter on the Sunday, ending the show with a collective workshop to dance to the rhythm of West Africa.
There were outdoor processions and activities for everyone of all ages, plus opportunities to sample a wealth of stalls, providing everything from global food to fine clothing and handmade crafts, plus information about local communities and organisations, all delivered with a very genuine smile.