Collaborator Profile Creative Heritage - Sutton STEAMS Ahead
Collaborator Profile: Creative Heritage
Creative Heritage is a Sutton-based community group, founded by a group of women with Eastern European heritage. They aim to preserve and promote cultural heritage and artistic traditions for Bulgarian groups and beyond. They took part in our Light & Dark festival, running an event called Light of Souls, a fusion between Diawli and the Bulgarian celebration of All Souls Day.
Tell us a little bit about your group.
Creative Heritage is a community group run by volunteers and focused on the preservation and popularisation of cultural art and traditions. The founding members are a group of women with Eastern European heritage and personal ties to other ethnic communities. We believe there is a lot of wisdom and value in every ethnic folklore that needs to be shared with a wider audience. Every child should know their roots and celebrate the culture of others around them.
The community group's objectives are to promote cultural artistic heritage through music, dance, drama acts and traditional cuisine for the Bulgarian and other ethnic groups in the UK.
The community group's objectives are to promote cultural artistic heritage through music, dance, drama acts and traditional cuisine for the Bulgarian and other ethnic groups in the UK.
How were you involved in Sutton STEAMs Ahead?
We worked on a fusion event called Light of Souls as part of the Light and Dark Festival 2023/24. We showcased traditions and cultural performances connected to the Indian festival of lights Diwali and Bulgarian celebration of the departed souls Zadushnitsa (All Souls Day).
The members of Creative Heritage use their strong ties to eastern european culture to create unique experiences.
Were there any highlights and/or take-aways from being part of Sutton STEAMs Ahead?
Working on this project with our Indian partners was a truly exciting and educational journey. Uncovering the similarities between our seemingly different cultures was incredibly inspiring. We made connections with new local businesses, artists and performers.
What does STEAM mean to you?
We are very much focused on the preservation, presentation and promotion of arts. In today's era they are interconnected with technology and for every new performance we produce or promote, we use different types of technology to make it more engaging, immersive and enjoyable for the audience. We believe education should be captivating and when it is done through arts, it impacts more than just the mind.
What’s up next for your group?
Light of Souls was also part of our project Sutton Community Unity, which will feature a series of events between November 2023 and September 2024. The next big event is Candlelight Christmas Songs and Stories from across Europe. The event presents traditional Christmas carols and customs from England, France, Italy, Ukraine and Bulgaria, all delivered by local residents. It also features a cultural craft market and small gifts for all children in attendance.
After that, Sutton Community Unity will continue with an educational seminar and workshop Care for the Hair in February 2024, exploring the deep connection most of us have with our hair, practical tips on caring for different types of hair, particularly afro, mixed, Asian, Caucasian. The project also features a Community Schools Fair and Creative Heritage's jewel in the crown, Around the World Festival 2024, a massive celebration of world cultures through music, dance and drama.
After that, Sutton Community Unity will continue with an educational seminar and workshop Care for the Hair in February 2024, exploring the deep connection most of us have with our hair, practical tips on caring for different types of hair, particularly afro, mixed, Asian, Caucasian. The project also features a Community Schools Fair and Creative Heritage's jewel in the crown, Around the World Festival 2024, a massive celebration of world cultures through music, dance and drama.
Have you worked with us as part of the Sutton STEAMs Ahead programme? Contact us to potentially feature in a Collaborator Profile. Send an email to suttonsteamsahead@sutton.gov.uk.
