EXETER RESPECT FESTIVAL 2024
Belmont Park, Sat 08 and Sun 09 June 2024
Exeter Respect Festival 2024 will once again return to Exeter’s Belmont Park marking the 27th anniversary of the first Respect Festival in Exeter in 1997 that brought communities together to celebrate their differences and commonalities.
Keep watching this space and out social media pages for updates.
We will be announcing our full line up shortly.
2024’S HEADLINERS
THE SOUTH AFRICAN CULTURAL GOSPEL CHOIR UK Sat 08 June
Formed by the most talented & professional African artists & musicians based in the UK, the South African Cultural Gospel Choir UK sing in different African languages, acapella, classical & traditional gospel songs with a band & an energetic Zulu dance bringing excitement & telling a story.
SHUMBA TRIBE
Sun 09 June
Brighten up your day with a dynamic blend of drumming, dance and song from Exeter’s own rhythmic community group – Shumba Tribe. Inspired by a deep respect for rhythmic traditions from the African continent, Shumba Tribe is lead by Denise Rowe and Allan Kerr, with support from Arjun Maghee. Come and participate!
EXETER RESPECT FESTIVAL 2024
Exeter Respect Festival 2024 marks the 27th anniversary of the first Respect Festival in Exeter, aimed at bringing communities together to celebrate their differences and commonalities. This year’s theme is to celebrate ‘Friendship Through Diversity’. It is so important to express our commitment to diversity and bring all communities together to celebrate friendship and harmony. This year’s festival is in memory of Chris Newman who was a precious member of Exeter Respect Festival’s organising committee.
Exeter Respect Festival 2024 will be bigger and better than ever, running from Saturday 8th June to Sunday 9th June in Belmont Park Exeter. On Saturday doors open at 11:30 with the festival starting at 12:00, on Sunday doors open and the festival starts at 11:00.
The festival remains alcohol free, as an alternative Bar Nova are supplying non-alcoholic cocktails for all to enjoy.
The three outdoor stages will provide a kaleidoscope of performances that are accompanied by stalls, food and activities for all of the family to enjoy in the beautiful Belmont Park.
On the Mandela Stage, The South African Cultural Gospel Choir UK are Saturday’s headliners with Shumba Tribe headlining on Sunday.
The Community Stage will be full of exciting performances from talented hidden in our community giving an opportunity for people to showcase their cultural diversity.
The festival is delighted that once again Exeter College will host the Diversity Stage for young people and community artists. If you wish to display your own talent you can join in Waz Open Mic.
Due to the economic climate that we live in and to sustain the festival’s future there is an entrance fee for each day of £2 (under 16s are free).
There will be lots of outdoor processions and activities, with opportunities for visitors to sample the wealth of stalls providing everything from global food to fine clothing, handmade crafts to information about local communities and organisations – all delivered with a very genuine smile. Tents will be hosted by DAISI and Young Devon for young people and everyone to enjoy music and art workshops.
In the Windrush Zone – for children and their parents – you can enjoy a variety of activities including workshops and stalls including RAMM, whose members will be going around the festival site in bird costumes. The ever popular Scrapstore has activities for the whole family and will have their blue organic slide on top of the hill for children to enjoy.
In the Diversity community area many organisations and groups will be displaying their cultural heritage giving special insights into their unique culture.
Throughout the site there are wide ranges of activities over the weekend for all to come together to stand hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder for our communalities that bring us to celebrate our friendship through diversity.
Women’s activities are becoming increasingly popular at the festival and this year more environment campaigners will be sharing ways you can help to save our planet.
“It’s so important to express acceptance in our city of all cultures, sexual orientations and nationalities and the Exeter Respect Festival unites all. We are very proud to support such an important event.’’
Simon Almond, (Managing Director of Devon Contract Waste)
Dr Suaad Genem-George
Managing Director
Exeter Respect CIC
“All Different All Equal”
ABOUT EXETER RESPECT
Exeter Respect is the city’s annual celebration of diversity where we use the performing and creative arts to engage the wider community in saying no to racism and all forms of prejudice. The 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 enjoy yourself with 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 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 festival in Belmont Park, with a footfall of around 20,000 people every year.
Exeter Respect returns to Belmont Park on Saturday 08 and Sunday 09 June 2024, we look forward to seeing you there.
2023 PRIMARY SPONSORS
