The Exeter Respect ethos is a simple one: racism and prejudice often spring from fear, and fear is often based on ignorance, so let's 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 talk to them, hence our celebratory event and adoption of the old Commission for Racial Equality slogan: All Different, All Equal! The first Exeter Respect festival took place in 1997 and there has been a celebration virtually every year since then. From 1998 to 2008 Exeter Respect Festival was at Exeter Phoenix Arts Centre, but from 2009 to the present day our focus has been a two-day festival in Belmont Park, people come together one voice, one community to say no to prejudice, no to racism, yes to harmony, yes to live in peace alongside each other and support the common cause, we are All different All equal. This is what brings us all to Belmont Park - to celebrate our differences, to support each other and share our experiences. This is what Exeter Respect Festival stands for.
Every year we say we are getting there, we say we have improved, we say finally we have reached our destination; finally, we are living in a society, no more prejudice or racism. In 2018 – we continue to campaign marking 25 years since Stephen Lawrence passed away, leaving behind a legacy, one blossom was cut to teach millions the value of life and how to live in dignity; his death has changed the law of the land.
In addition, earlier this year, we were further saddened by the racist behaviour of the Law School students– not only in our city at University of Exeter, but also it has come to light that it was happening nationwide – we cannot understand why this keeps happening, why a few seemingly intelligent young people think it is ok to behave in this way. However, in response to this incident the students with the support of Student Guild at Exeter campus, organised Exeter Respect Festival on Campus. They created a pledge which was read out and agreed in unison. The pledge aims to remind others that there is a zero tolerance to hate, to all form of prejudice, discrimination and racism.
Exeter Respect Festival is an idea, a campaign, it is a vision for a free society from prejudice, it is a mission - a belief that strives to achieve a healthy environment. The festival brings everyone together who believes that there is hope, imagine starting with a small stone, gradually building piece by piece to build a block that can be continued forward to build the bridge of humanity.
Why should people attend Exeter Respect Festival to sustain it? Why should the community take part in the process of its sustainability?
At the festival we have people coming from all paths of life, many who have managed to cross the impossible in order so to reach our sanctuary, to be safe. The festival brings opportunity to meet survivors, thus allowing close insight into their journey. The Exeter Respect festival is far more than about the wonderful music that is on offer, by visiting the festival, people are given the opportunity to visit different stalls such as: Refugee Support Devon – local food bank providers at their stall, this is also an opportunity for everyone to show appreciation and give thanks for the immense work they do. ‘Keep the NHS’ will discuss health issues with anyone requesting information and sharing information to understand why we must keep and protect the NHS. Health watch will also be in attendance, ready to answer any queries about health. Devon County and South West Unison alongside other Trade Unions will be present to give you an insight into your rights, alongside the Citizen Advice Bureau. Women’s rights and their achievements will be highlighted at different stalls. Exeter Community Initiative with their open mic and their Jelly shop to show will showcase their work, alongside Julian’s House highlighting the tremendous work that they do with the crisis of homelessness around Exeter and beyond. Cosmic Digital Company is offering their digital project to share and learn about our digital world. RAMM are presenting their 150 years of celebration - bringing history alive. Multilingua Devon, who is one of our sponsors, provides interpreters in over 100 languages in Devon. Many stalls from faith and belief organisations will be introducing the spiritual remedy to suit your soul. If you so wish, you can discuss any personal issue with someone who will be able to guide you, because there will be an array of areas whereby healing can be received.
There will be over 100 stalls from different charities coming together to campaign and share their services, including Fair Trade, Police, Fire Services and South Western Ambulance NHS Foundation Trust. There will also be many local and Devonian business to share their skills and products.
Exeter Respect Festival gives the chance to celebrate unreported feelings within our blend of communities. It is a time to reflect on our own prejudices, a time to come along with an open heart and mind to meet new people - you never thought in your life that you will be able to meet.
Exeter Respect Festival 2018 in addition to marking 25 years since Stephen Lawrence passed away, is also celebrating the suffragists and Suffragettes 100 years since some women have managed to vote, it is also 70 years of United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948 - Lest We Forget.
In addition to the 5 main stages – through a fusion of art, performances and community projects – many small stall holders will also be performing in front of their stalls. The Arabic and Islamic Institute will be hosting the Stephen Lawrence Stage on Saturday, bringing together the Middle Eastern and North African traditions to be shared. The Medical School from The University of Exeter will be sharing their research. Space the Devon Youth Service will be hosting the Stephen Lawrence stage on Sunday. Visit the Young Devon stall to take part in their survey about the needs of young people in Exeter, a consultation which is being carried out on behalf of Exeter City Council - who is our main sponsor for this year. The Inspire stage hosted by Exeter College is sharing their young people’s talent and a blend of world music. The Diversity stage has a variety of professional local artists and to mark the human rights celebration, on Saturday we have invited Gary Stewart's Graceland's cover bands of Paul Simon’s album. On Sunday we mark 100yrs of women’s rights music from local band Sound of the Sirens, and young local singer / songwriter Jonah Hitchens will close the festival with a foot stomping show. The Community stage is being hosted by Sean Goddard, who will present our variety of charities and community groups who have been working hard to present their causes through performances, from local choirs, Exeter and Devonian commence on Saturday. Sound Waves Disability music project, Keltia, Wren Music, LALA choir, Shumbaarts drumming, Devon Capoeira, Break dancing, Just4funk and Urbanflow, Karina Bollywood Dance and Indian Dance Avtar, African Samba school, Japanese artist, Bulgarians and Philippians. The Equality stage been organised every year by Widsith & Deor Storytelling Theatre, this stage is located at the children and family area – whereby Ken Low’s Dinosaur rider and many other artists, can be enjoyed. In addition, within this family & children area - our young ambassador Ruby May Spencer - who is also a local singer/song writer and musician - will be looking after our Bouncy Castle! Ruby will also be supporting local band Wildwood Kin at the Exeter Respect Festival After Party on Saturday evening at The Exeter Phoenix. The Exeter Respect Tent will be offering a variety of workshops on Saturday, such as drumming and entertaining artists to take you into a journey out to navigate with him through the Glob learn Japanese, On Sunday there is a workshop called 360 stories, sharing and learning about each other and create your own story.
Exeter Respect festival is a cultural diversity festival that aims to include everyone, who believes in its values, all different all equal. It is a campaigning tool for us to come together to campaign for a better life for all.
We now find ourselves in a changing climate which has caused the festival to have to make the decision to charge a small entrance fee – this has been made with a heavy heart. Local authorities are unable to carry on being our main sponsors, due to the very well documented issues we read in the news every day. They must make incredible cuts summoned by the central Government.
The Cooperative membership is now also – not in a position to sponsor. We thought our communities could be our main sponsor for years to come. Charging a £2 entrance fee is sponsorship money to sustain the festival. We have consulted people, and having listened to their views and feedback, felt able to make this decision - “yes” to communities to step in and sustain it, “yes” to charge. This is a personal choice that you must choose to make if you value the message behind the festival. Simple words with big meanings - we strive to live in harmony in our small or big communities.
It is our collective responsibility to sustain it. If you struggle and can’t afford to pay £2 - small change will do - anything will do. It is symbolic to put a value on it, or come and volunteer, every one of us has to contribute to put a value on it, by doing so we put a value on Exeter Respect Festival, which is the only Festival in the entire UK that has survived – we say “NO!” to racism , “YES!” to harmony , “YES!” to human rights, “YES!” to you all to be inclusive, Exeter Respect Festival has so far survived the odds.
We would like to thank all our supporters, all our volunteers, all artists and performers who have and continue to contribute, many accepting symbolic fees hardly covering their expenses, still… are willing to come and contribute - because they believe in the cause.
Let’s see it through together, let’s make it together, only together we can sustain the festival to enjoy it every year. Every month throughout the year we were at Stephen's Church at the High Street in Exeter, to meet people and discuss. We used these times to update; it was also publicized on our page and throughout our social media. We do value your comments and appreciate every one of you, but at least you know now why we are charging. Volunteers and Volunteers with stallholders, Children and Under 16s are free.
Thank you all for your continued support.
Dr. Suaad Genem-George
Managing Director
Exeter Respect Festival
All Different All Equal
