The Festival of Communities returned on 10th and 11th June for a weekend of activities, games and glorious sunshine.Across both days over 7,000 visitors joined Queen Mary researchers and local community groups to celebrate everything that makes Tower Hamlets a fantastic place to live and work.
The first day, held in Stepney Green Park, saw thousands taking part in activities such as strength tests, pizza-making, and playing robots at Tic Tac Toe – offering attendees the chance to get close to some of the exciting research happening at Queen Mary and to find out what community organisations are up to locally.
The following day, at Queen Mary’s Mile End campus, the Festival continued with highlights including interactive demonstrations about black holes and exoplanets, calligraphy lessons, dancing and lots of quizzes and games.
Across the weekend Queen Mary staff and students put on over 80 activities and more than 35 local community organisations ran stands. They were joined by face-painters and performers on a stage run by Spotlight.
With hands-on demonstrations of local research and services, loads of fun family activities and food stalls, there was something for everyone to enjoy.
The Festival provides an opportunity to bring our communities together, build new connections and inspire people to pursue their interests. We’re thrilled to have seen so many people enjoying themselves over the weekend.— Sarah Gifford, Queen Mary Community Engagement Manager
The Festival of Communities is a very powerful way of connecting people at a time when division is resurfacing again in our society, especially through social media. Doing this event, I have learned that creativity can play a big part in bringing communities together.— Chinny Ejiogu, from the East London NHS Foundation Trust
The Festival of Communities is such an impressively joyful and heart-warming occasion. A huge Thank You to all of those who helped to make it happen.— Dr Philippa Lloyd, Vice-Principal, Policy and Strategic Partnerships at Queen Mary