PATACC is once again pleased to be organising the 2022 Harlow Black History Multicultural celebrations. The celebration is a community festival organised by the group for the benefit of the people of Harlow and the surrounding areas. As already known to most people, the purpose of the festival is to provide an opportunity for local people from diverse backgrounds to come together and celebrate the area’s rich cultural diversity.

This year, as the festival enters into it’s 16th year, and Harlow commemorates 75 years of Harlow Town, the festival will take place for the first time at the Harlow Bandstand, Park Lane Harlow CM20 2QQ on Saturday 1st October 2022.

The theme for this year is “Harlow at 75: Focus on ‘Black Health and Wellbeing’ in Harlow” What does it mean to the ordinary person on the streets of Harlow.

Vice Chair of Harlow Council, Councillor Sue Livings will open the event and cut the Harlow at 75 “Birthyear” cake.

There is a rich line-up of activities, all having history and culture as integral part of their purpose. Many local groups continue to contribute in diverse ways. The acts this year include Rory Jackson of Michael Jackson impersonation, The Fireman who eats fire, Belly dance by Belly Belles, Rainbow Supreme Twirlers, Columbian dance by Talentos, African drumming and dance by Efua Sey Cultural Academy, Poetry, singing, traditional artwork, food, information stalls and many more.

PATACC aims to sustain and make the event a great cultural diversity celebratory event in Harlow and the neighbouring areas. Our aim in this regard is:

●To bring together the people of Harlow to celebrate the area’s rich cultural diversity
●To contribute towards a community where people from different backgrounds feel they all belong and can come together to celebrate a shared sense of belonging
●To support communication, interactions and engagement between all sections of the community, particularly between local Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) citizens and service providers
●To promote community cohesion and respect between people of different backgrounds by providing a friendly and relaxed opportunity for people to come together and learn from and about each other
●To provide an opportunity for local people to make a positive contribution towards their community by acting as volunteers, exhibitors or performers
●To provide a source of entertainment and activities for a family day out

As a small not for profit organisation, PATACC is only able to host the festival and maintain its success due to the generous support of the local community. This ranges from support in-kind from voluntary, private, public organisations and security services in the area, the commitment and dedication of members of the planning committee as well as the volunteers on the day.

As the festival enters its 16th year this year, we are seeking more partners to support in making future festivals bigger and better. We hope individuals, organisations and businesses will kindly consider becoming partners, sponsors or supporters. We also encourage all arts and cultural groups in and around Harlow to participate and contribute ideas to make subsequent celebrations even better and more participatory.

We look forward to welcoming you all to the 2022 Harlow Black History Multicultural Festival to celebrate our proud heritage. If you have any questions about our Group, the festival or our other activities, please do not hesitate to get in touch