Exeter Respect Festival - the city's annual celebration of diversity
Taking place this weekend in Belmont Park from 12noon to 7pm on Saturday 1 June and from 11am to 6 pm on Sunday 2 June, Exeter Respect has a celebratory atmosphere second to none. This year’s festival builds on the key aspects of last year’s amazing event, the city’s biggest-ever community celebration! Exeter Respect is the city's annual celebration of diversity, where the performing and creative arts are used to engage the wider community in saying no to racism and all forms of prejudice.
Belmont Park will be covered in beautiful site decoration produced by a range of schools, community and youth groups. There will be activities and performances representing every part of Exeter’s culture, which is becoming more diverse year-on-year, with something to see or do for participants of all ages and backgrounds. This year The Exeter Daily is proud to be supporting the Festival as a sponsor of the Music Cafe and we hope to see some of you there.
The first Exeter Respect festival took place in 1997 and there has been a celebration virtually every year since then. From 2003 to 2008 Exeter Respect's biggest event was at Exeter Phoenix Arts Centre, but from 2009 to the present day our focus has been a giant two day free festival in Belmont Park, with a footfall of around 20,000 people every year.
Exeter Respect is co-ordinated by an Executive consisting of Paul Giblin, Suaad Genem-George and Tim Price who orgniase this festival in a purely voluntary capacity. They engage with a much wider range of sponsors, communities, performers, suppliers to put together social inclusive events with a clear message. We are committed to keeping entry to the Respect In The Park festival free so no-one is excluded from our celebration of diversity.
Paul Giblin, event co-ordinator commented: “This year we will not have our big top, but will have a new outdoor stage and have more community activities than ever before.”
Suaad Genem-George, Exeter Respect’s community engagement lead stated: “Exeter’s population continues to become more diverse year on year and our celebration has grown in many ways which reflect those changes. Make sure you join in by attending our free festival.”
What to expect at this year's Festival...
NEW Phonic FM Stage
Upbeat bands and DJs reflecting a range of musical styles guaranteed to make you dance, hosted by Exeter’s sound alternative community radio station and supported by Exeter College. Featuring performances from Jambassadors, Bitterati, Peachy Farmer, FOS Brothers and N.U.M.B plus more to be announced.
Community Stage
Diverse performances leading up to a stunning power-drumming Sunday finale with Kagemusha Taiko. Also showcasing performances from Music Bird Choir, Soundwaves, Samba Marcianas, Reprezent and Sun Lotus Taiko. Stage sponsored by Hannahs.
Music Café
Laid-back performances representing a range of cultures in a lovely sofa-filled marquee hosted by Exeter Local Records and sponsored by The Exeter Daily with The Real Food Store café right next door. Music from Jason Wallace, Mae Karthauser, Acoya, Solarference, Koutachou, Tobias Ben Jacob, Buzzard Folk (ft. Kim Wei), Billy Bottle & The Multiple, Tovarish Dmitry, Sculpture Music and Dakar Audio Club (Acoustic Set).
Play & Activity Area
We’ve squeezed in more things for kids to do than ever! Activities include The Woodcraft Folk, Deaf Academy sponsored story-telling, Widsith & Deor’s tipi, Football in the Community, Clifton Hill Sports Centre, the Community Action bouncy castle, Exeter Community Initiatives, the Scrapstore, Exeter Steiner Academy and much much more…
Dance Workshops
Dance, dance, dance in this vibrant area run by Bar Venezia!
NEW Music Workshops
Devon Youth Service, Young Devon and Wren Music present brand new music workshops for this year, from traditional folk to beat boxing...
Wellbeing Zone
Alternative therapies from around the world in the chilled atmosphere of the park’s sensory garden hosted by the NHS NEW Devon Clinical Commissioning Group, Devon Partnership NHS Trust and Healthwatch Devon, and including music from Rockhaven Adventure Therapy.
Fire Service Area
Firefighting fun with interactive children’s activities and demonstrations by Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue Service.
Market Stalls
More local crafts and Fair Traded goods than ever.
Communities and campaigns
Representing a wide range of groups and initiatives
Food
More food from around the world than ever before...
... and a Licensed bar too!
Volunteers needed
Exeter Respect runs on volunteers and more are needed – if you want to help put on this event then please get in touch via the Exeter Respect website.
Sponsorship and Support In-kind
Exeter Respect is grateful for financial and other support from:
- Exeter City Council
- Devon County Council
- Unison South West Region
- University of Exeter
- Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service
- Unison Devon Country Branch
- NHS NEW Devon Clinical Commissioning Group
- Hannah’s
- University of Exeter Students’ Guild
- Devon & Cornwall Police Constabulary
- Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner
- ATASS
- YMCA
- The Exeter Daily
- Exeter Royal Academy for Deaf Education
- Devon Faith & Belief Forum
- Westcountry Housing
- Devon Partnership NHS Trust
This year's event will be filmed by Exeter-based Pangaea TV, DVDs of which will be available to purchase through the Respect website.
The Respect ethos is a simple one: racism and prejudice often spring from fear, and fear is often based on ignorance, so lets' overcome ignorance by getting to know one another and sharing not shunning our cultures. One of the best ways to get to know someone is to enjoy yourself with them, hence our celebratory event and adoption of the old Commission for Racial Equality slogan: All Different, All Equal!
Further information
Please visit www.exeter-respect.org to find out more about this year’s festival.
You can also ring Amelia Ebdon on 07806786875 or email ae277@ex.ac.uk.
