Meet your neighbours!

A SERIES of community events are being held in Liverpool where residents can find out more about the cultural traditions of people in their neighbourhood.

The "Meet Your Neighbours" events, which are taking place on three consecutive Friday evenings have been organised by Merseyside Polonia, which works to build relations between local residents and Polish people in association with Citysafe - Liverpool's crime and disorder reduction partnership - LCVS and Kensington Regeneration.

There is a chance to watch native music and singing being performed, taste delicious food and find out about the customs of the many communities around the world that have made their home in Liverpool.

Councillor Marilyn Fielding, executive member for safer stronger communities, said: "Liverpool is famous for its wide range of diverse communities, but it can sometimes be unsettling when people with different traditions and customs are living in one area.

"These events are a great way to learn more about other cultures and find out more about the food they eat and how they live their lives.

"It is a really good chance to get to know people and make sure different communities are integrated rather than segregated." 

The locations for the events and the countries which are being featured are:

Friday 12 March - showcasing Kurdish (Iraqi) and Congolese (African) communities at: St Francis of Assisi Academy, Gardner's Drive, Kensington, Liverpool, L6 7UR from 6:30pm until 9pm

Friday 19 March - showcasing Hindu (Indian) and Zimbabwean communities at: St Francis of Assisi Academy, Gardner's Drive, Kensington, Liverpool, L6 7UR from 6:30pm until 9pm

Friday 26 March - showcasing Polish and Chinese communities at: Al Ghazali Cultural Centre, 35 Earle Road, Liverpool, L7 6HD from 6:30pm until 9pm

More than 60 languages are spoken in Liverpool every day, and the city is home to many African, American, Asian and European communities, as well thousands of university students from around the world.

Gosia McKane from Merseyside Polonia, said: "Initially the project aimed to support the new Polish community in Liverpool but actually brought together people from many different cultural backgrounds.

"It showed that the need and enjoyment of being together to celebrate our cultures is immense and that we need more cross cultural projects such as Meet Your Neighbours to feel part of the Liverpool community.

"During this series we will present a vast diversity of cultures such as from Iraq to India, from the Congo to China - since they all contribute to Liverpool's proud boast that it is the world in one city."

Gosia, who has recently been appointed by the city council to work as a community development worker building links between different nationalities, added: "The more we know about each other's cultures the safer we feel."

The events are free and open to everyone.

Other Local News from Liverpool

• Man cleared of strangling murder
• Murder suspect found dead in cell
• Tranmere v Preston
• Huddersfield v Widnes (Sun)
• In pictures: Giant otters on show
• View All Latest News in Liverpool