News Release

Friday, October 12, 2007

OUR WORLD IN A DAY: LAUNCH OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH EXHIBITION

On 18^th October as part of Black History Month, Cambridge City Council will be opening to the public an exhibition celebrating the diversity of Cambridge both past and present.

In partnership with Cambridgeshire County Council, the University of Cambridge, BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, and Q103fm, the City Council is hosting ‘Our World in a Day’ exhibition in the Guildhall. The Mayor Jenny Bailey will join Rob Hammond, Chief Executive of Cambridge City Council in formally opening the exhibition. Staff from both councils will join a diverse range of community groups and organisations to celebrate their cultural backgrounds, with photographs, histories, food and artefacts from different parts of the world. Members of the public are invited to record where they were born on a large map to underline the diverse nature of people that makes Cambridge such a vibrant and cosmopolitan city.

Joining the event will be local charities CAMFED and SOS Children to highlight their work with children overseas. Other organisations will display their work in the community. There will also be a special display ‘Americans in Cambridge’ highlighting the impact of Americans made on the City during World War Two.

Rob Hammond, Chief Executive of Cambridge City Council stated, “As a city, we should appreciate how different and dynamic cultural currents are always changing the way we live in an increasingly diverse community. This exhibition is a wonderful opportunity to remind ourselves of the important contribution of people from diverse backgrounds to shaping Cambridge as a place and its place in the world.”

Besides the many stalls and displays, food will be available courtesy of Sweet & Spicy, and First Teas of Cambridge will provide a range of teas from around the world.

The public are welcome to come along on the 18^th to the big hall in Guildhall. The exhibition will be open from 11am to 3pm, with the launch at 12 noon. The displays that make up the ‘Our World in a Day’ exhibition will be open to the public until the end of October outside the Council Chamber in the Guildhall.

- ends

Notes to editors

1. The full programme for events, exhibitions and talks being held all over the City for October’s Black History Month is available for the public to view at www.cambridge.gov.uk/bhm,
2. These events, talks and exhibitions are in partnership with the University of Cambridge and community forums.
3. The Black History Month ‘Our World in a Day’ was started as an initiative of the Black and Minority Ethnic Forum (BME) staff at both Cambridge City and Cambridgeshire County Councils.

Further information

For further information please contact Sigrid Fisher, Strategy Officer, Strategy & Partnerships, Cambridge City Council email Sigrid.Fisher@cambridge.gov.uk or contact Shahzad A. Jan, Corporate Marketing and Communications Officer email Shahzad.Jan@cambridge.gov.uk

All seminars will begin at 5pm in the Seminar Room, Mond Building, Free School Lane, Cambridge CB2 3RF. Contact da211@cam.ac.uk or phone 01223 334396