25 Jul 2023
Introduction
Our City Festival: One Community Many Voices is an event being held on the 9th September 2023 at York Explore & Library Lawn.
Our overall aims are to be a festival for all York residents, groups and communities. A chance to come together as one, to have a collective voice.
Through the festival format we aim for all those involved to feel empowered and to be more open and understanding of all communities and cultures. One where hate crime is reported more and Bystander apathy is lessened.
We are seeking to engage the diverse communities to share their voices. We want them to feel valued in their city and for York to take further steps to become a friendly and welcoming city.
We welcome you to join us in creating the festival programme. This can either be on the festival weekend or as independent fringe events. Please read all the details below and register your interest with us.
Festival Terms of Reference
The Festival is striving to achieve the following aims:
Be for all York residents
Reflect all York communities
Raise residents’ awareness and understanding of the many faces of York
Celebrate the idea of one community, many voices
Reach out to communities who may not come into the city centre
Allow open contributions to give a true reflection of people's experiences which are not always positive.
Integrate a fringe style approach with activities and events. Held in different locations round the city centre
Establish story-telling as the common ground – ensure that communities / groups are listened to
Capture the imagination and ignite new ways of thinking
Leave a legacy
How can I/we support the Festival?
There are various ways that you can get involved and support the festival. The below are some examples but the team is more than happy to discuss your ideas.
There is a link to an interest form at the end of this document. If you have any questions or would like to discuss your involvement, please email: OurCityFestivalYork@gmail.com
Take part in the main Our City Festival
Help us create an engaging programme of events.
The programme will look to hold open discussions and panels, alongside a broad range of content from music and arts to theatre and cookery.
If you're interested in contributing to our programme, we’d love to hear from you. Some ideas we’re looking for include;
Hosting a talk
Music performance
Recipe sharing
Dance class
Craft sessions
Our programme will highlight your contributions under the following heading:
Our Stage: Situated in the Library Lawn area. This performance area will be to stage music, dance & theatre. There are up to 6 slots available.
Our Creations: Workshops will be held on both the Library Lawn & the inside rooms depending on the activity and time. There is capacity for up to 10 workshops.
Our City Sessions: Space for talks, safe spaces & meaningful conversations. There is capacity for up to 5 talks.
Our Community: Showcasing the best of our communities. There will be up to 20 stalls throughout York Explore’s Brierley, Marriott & Garden rooms.
Provide resources for the festival
There are many other ways you can get involved and support the festival if you are not able to contribute to the programme of events.
Do you have access to equipment? Volunteers who could help? Can you help distribute marketing materials?
Get in touch today if you would like to get involved.
Host your own event
Perhaps you would like to create your own event/activity? Organise your own event in the week leading up to the festival (between the 4th & 8th of September).
Your event can be included in the programme and promoted alongside the Festival.
Here are some ideas of the events/activities you could hold:
A lecture or film screening
A performance or production
Craft sessions
An art project or exhibition
A community project
Storytelling
Displays
We encourage the aims of your event to continue to ensure all York residents feel empowered to be more open and understanding of all communities and cultures. One where hate crime is reported more and bystander apathy is lessened.
Share information for marketing
In the lead up to the festival, we will be releasing the full programme and marketing materials. We ask that you share/interact on your social media, display posters & share programmes with your contacts & communities to help us spread the word about the Festival and its aims for the city.
What to do next
To get involved please complete the information questionnaire online.
Online form: https://forms.gle/jbLngZcsuGgSvgmNA
If you require an alternative format please email: OurCityFestivalYork@gmail.com
The deadline for expressing an interest is Monday 31st July 2023. Any expressions after this date may not be included in this year's festival.