Féile support for newcomer communities

Soliana Rama volunteered at the event

There has been an outpouring of support for ethnic minority communities at a festival in Belfast.

There was a record turnout on Friday at the annual International Day and Food Fayre at Féile an Phobail in west Belfast.

For the past week, there has been sporadic violence in the city with some people from ethnic minorities attacked and their property damaged.

Among those volunteering at the international event in west Belfast was Soliana Rama who recently arrived in Northern Ireland for the first time.

She said she appreciated support from friends and work colleagues in recent days but added: “I’m scared.

“I know we are immigrants but we are human beings. We are not terrorists. We went through a lot of struggle to be here. We just need peace.”

Record turnout at the annual International Day at Féile an Phobail in west Belfast.

More than 500 people attended the Féile event including some originally from Syria, Albania, Eritrea, Nigeria and China.

One of the organisers, Kevin Morrison, said the high turn-out showed widespread support for newcomers to Belfast.

“It’s been the largest number of people we’ve had attending this event," he said.

“It’s a representation of the community feeling – the real community feeling.

“Newcomer communities are part of our communities, they’re part of our society. They’re here to stay. And we’re here to support them.”

'A representation of the community feeling

Bereketeab Ghirmay, a musician born in Eritrea, performed at the event.

He told BBC News NI that he appreciated support from friends during the past week.

He said: “They have helped us a lot by calling, sending messages and always asking how I am.”

Musician Bereketeab Ghirmay said he appreciated support from friends during the past week

Féile an Phobail bills itself as Ireland’s biggest community arts festival, running 1-11 August.

While political discussion and debate are key parts of the programme, there is always a focus on the arts.

'A massive success'

Féile director Kevin Gamble said: “On Thursday night, more than 10,000 young people were in the Falls Park for our Féile Diversionary Dance Night.

“This night is a combined effort to provide a diversionary event that brings young people off our streets away from the potential of unwanted and destructive bonfires.

“On Thursday night, the big bonfires that have been an unwanted feature in this community again didn’t happen and that is a massive success."

This is the 36th year of the Féile.

In the past, there have been complaints about pro-IRA chanting at a gig by the band The Wolfe Tones.

More than 300 different events have been arranged this year at around 50 different venues in Belfast, mainly in the west of the city.