One-off music festival aims to unite people of Portland
It's hoped different cultures will bring refugees and the local community together
The inaugural Let Music Unite festival is being held on Chesil Beach this afternoon (Saturday 16th September) in a bid to bring positivity to the Island of Portland.
Portland’s Global Friendship Group organised the event to build bridges between the local community and the refugees who were being housed on the controversial Bibby Stockholm Barge at Portland Port.
There’s been a divide on the Island since the Bibby Stockholm was moored at Portland Port, with some even showing hostility towards the refugees.
Heather, a member of Portland Global Friendship Group, said:
“I'm really hoping that most people can see this as a positive community event and have the sense that even if you don't agree with it, this is just about bringing positivity to the island.”
“The aim is to bring people together to celebrate different music and cultures from around the world.”
Let Music Unite will host a variety of musicians from local artists and DJs to Kurdish singer Mustafa Mamu as well as a cameo-appearance from Ricky Romain and a unique act like the Romanian Gypsy band, Ochi de Mort.
Heather said: “I wanted it to be a celebration of cultures that refugees often come from, so we've got a lot of African drums and Middle Eastern influences in the music.”
Ricky Romain commented: “Regardless of age or ethnicity, music is something we can all live together in without prejudice.”
According to Portland’s Global Friendship Group, many of the refugee’s love music and are looking forward to the event but there are a handful that are a bit nervous people's reaction to them might be negative.
Heather told us: “Once people start meeting the refugees and realising they are normal people, the negative stigmas around them will start to disappear.”
Portland councillor, Giovanna Lewis also commented: “It's wonderful to see people in our community leading the way in promoting unity, co-operation, and respect for all with this music festival.”
Let Music Unite is free for anyone to attend and will be coming to Chesil Beach on Saturday 16th September from 12pm – 7pm.