The local event is supported by Cambridge City Council and is part of a wider national event celebrating and acknowledging of the culture, history and lives of South Asian people living in the UK.
All the local events can be accessed at www.capturingcambridge.org, a website run by the Museum of Cambridge, dedicated to sharing the human stories and lesser-known histories of Cambridge.
The interactive programme for South Asian History Month includes the following events, which can be accessed by residents at any time:
- Cooking with Luthfa Khatun – Online cooking classes demonstrating how to cook Bangladeshi-style dishes
- Bollywood Dance Tutorial – Learn a Bollywood dance routine with Krishna Zivraj-Nair of the Sanskruti School of Dance
- Exploring the gender divide in Pakistani culture – A recorded talk by Dr Sabina Akram of Cambridge Ruskin International College
- ‘From East Pakistan to Cambridge’ – local author, writer and publisher Shahida Rahman tells the story of her parents’ arrival in Cambridge in the 1950s and 1960s
- South Asian contribution to British war efforts in both world wars – An online photographic exhibition highlighting the part that people from South Asia played in the two world wars of the Twentieth Century.
This year’s Big Weekend event, which will take place virtually rather than on Parker’s Piece as normal, will also feature appearances from South Asian performers. Big Weekend ‘At Home’ is on Friday 3 and Saturday 4 July, with events to be broadcast on Star Radio, BBC Radio Cambridgeshire and Cambridge 105 Radio. Full listings are to be confirmed but will be published at www.cambridgelive.org.uk/city-events/events/big-weekend
Cllr Anna Smith, Executive Councillor for Communities, said: “This new celebration of our South Asian communities is another opportunity to highlight Cambridge’s wonderful diversity and discover some of the amazing stories our residents have to share.
“It’s a shame that we will not be able to get together in person this year, but I’m really looking forward to this great programme of events.
"The contribution of South Asian people to Cambridge and the UK has been enormous, and this is a really good opportunity to celebrate that.”
For the complete listings visit www.capturingcambridge.org/sahm