Belfast`s cultural diversity showcased in Croatia

Modern Belfast`s cultural diversity has been showcased at a prestigious international music festival, thanks to a council-backed arts group.

The unique music of eight young people from African, Asian and Middle Eastern backgrounds - all currently living in Belfast - was blasted out alongside youth bands from 15 other countries for the first time as part of this year`s `Test!` festival held in Croatia.

The unique music played at the festival was created by the teenagers, who had joined forces to jam with two local musicians to produce the CD, `Diverse City`, which aimed to explore cultural diversity within Northern Ireland. This music-based cultural exploration project was organised by WheelWorks Youth Arts in conjunction with the Northern Ireland Community of Refugees and Asylum Seekers (NICRAS).

As Festival Co-ordinator, Rea Hadziosmanovic, explained, `Test!` is a five-day international event and this year it hosted performers from 16 different countries:

"The United Kingdom, Belgium, Romania, Israel, Serbia, Slovenia, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia are only some of the countries represented and `Diverse City` was the only music ` originating from Northern Ireland.

"Most of the performers are students and young people as our festival is envisaged as a platform of student exchange of experiences, ideas and knowledge."

Rea added:

"The reason why the `Diverse City` CD was perfect for the festival is that it was made by young people from different parts of the world. We found the music charming and innovative: but, most of all, we chose it because the idea of making the songs using the word `hello` in different languages totally matched this festival`s theme - communication."

Tanya Kirk, WheelWorks Multiple Realities Programme Coordinator, said:

"We are delighted to be working with such a diverse and interesting group of young people. In creating their final outcome the children decided that they would record a CD which will explore cultural diversity and also include them speaking in each of their native tongues.

"Test! proved to be a great opportunity and a platform for the children to show off their talents and also to promote Northern Ireland in a strong and positive light. The teenagers are all very proud to know that their unique CD was played to hundreds of people from across the world. "

WheelWorks is a developmental youth arts organisation which works with young people aged 4-25 from disadvantaged and marginalised backgrounds. Using arts as an engagement tool, WheelWorks aims to excite, inspire and explore issues relevant to young people across Northern Ireland.

The `Diverse City` project was funded by the Youth Council for Northern Ireland CRYSS Scheme. WheelWorks is core funded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Youth Council for Northern Ireland and Belfast City Council.

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