Rural youth groups celebrate multicultural event

Youth Leaders from Rathfriland Scouts and Guides, Hilltown and Rathfriland Youth TBUC programmes, Youth Church groups and sporting groups in Newry together with the Swagat Indian Families Association had an afternoon full of music and dance.

The event was opened by the Scottish Highland Bagpipes played by Pipe Major David Hanna from the Altnaveigh Memorial Pipe Band. Then Marcella Gilliand from Community Tribal Drummers got the crowd going with a drumming circle with all the young people playing in rhythm together. A well-deserved break came with hot lunch from Gunturmirchi, local Indian Restaurant. During the break participants could enjoy having a henna tattoo and dressing up in traditional Indian dress.

Entertainment continued with the young musicians from the Traditional Arts Partnership from Mullaghban, followed by a workshop on traditional ceili dances with tutor Elaine O'Sullivan. The Hunter Moore Memorial Flute Band from Newry, played a range of tunes for the crowd. Afterwards dancers and singers from ImageNation NI, an Indian community group performed for the audience and got everyone up dancing. The dancers then led the crowd outside to the yard area at the back of the Hall for a colour party. Holi, the colour festival in March celebrates the arrival of Spring in India, the end of winter, and the blossoming of love. The youth groups all enjoyed throwing coloured powder at each other with an outside disco that lasted the rest of the afternoon.

This event was part of the Rural Communities Connect Project, delivered in partnership with Hilltown Community Association and Rathfriland Regeneration and funded through The Executive Office's Central Good Relations Fund.