ONE WORLD FAMILY FESTIVAL 2023

PAST EVENT

Bringing together communities and faiths of Oxfordshire

Sat 11 – Sun 12 Feb 2023, 12–4pm

FREE


Celebrate the many communities and faiths of Oxfordshire through a dazzling array of activities, performances, talks and crafts for all ages.

From an Iraqi fashion show to a Jewish musical medley, Bollywood dancing to laughter yoga, there's something for everyone at this fantastic weekend festival.

Join us for drop-in events across the whole Museum. 

Timings and details are also listed below, and in the PDF programme.

FREE

Download the full festival programme (PDF)

Access Information:

  • A Quiet and Prayer room space is available in the Family Lunch Room in the Learning Studio, from 10 - 5pm both days, for meditation, rest, prayer, personal reflection, meditation or a quiet space.
  • There is BSL interpretation for some events on both days. Please see the full programme for details.
  • There is level access throughout the Museum, with ramps into the building, lifts to all floors. Wheelchairs are available.
  • If you need any assistance on the day, please ask our Visitor Experience Assistants for help.

PROGRAMME DETAILS

DOWNLOAD THE FESTIVAL PROGRAMME 

Saturday 11 Feb 2023 (12–4pm)
 

  • Welcome     12–12.15pm, Atrium
    The opening of the One World Family Festival led by Ashmolean Director, Dr Xa Sturgis
    BSL interpreter
  • Azan, Islamic Call to Prayer - Zuh'r  12.21–12.30pm, Atrium
    Listen to an Islamic call to prayer in the Atrium. Prayer Rooms available in the Family Lunch Room & Gallery 29
  • Dancing Diyas    12.20–1pm, Greek & Roman Sculpture Gallery 21
    Explore the Hindu culture and religion through light and dance
  • Thoughts at the Intersection: Disability and Faith  12.20–1.20pm, Lecture Theatre
    A panel discussion between various disabled, d/deaf and neuro-diverse people from across different Oxfordshire communities
    BSL interpreter

  • Calligraphy Workshop  12.20–1.50pm (1.25pm Story Time), Islamic Middle East Gallery 31
    Learn the art of Islamic Calligraphy and hear the story, 'Ramadan Around the World'

  • Ukrainian Music  12.30–1.30pm, European Art Gallery 44
    Experience traditional Ukrainian songs and music

  • Afghan Knitting  1–4pm, interactive knitting starts 2pm, Mediterranean World Gallery 30
    Join in the interactive activity to knit a scarf of peace and enjoy knitting pieces on display

  • Connecting to the Divine  1.10–2pm, Greek and Roman Sculpture Gallery 21
    Devotional singing known as Bhajans or Kirtans can quieten the mind, allow the heart to open to the Divine, thus connecting us to the true source of bliss & joy that is our true nature

  • Church Tower Bells  1.30–1.45pm, Atrium
    Listen to the sounds of Christian church bells

  • Sensory Craft Workshop: Ancient Egypt  1.35–2pm, Dynastic Egypt and Sudan Gallery 23
    Relax with a sensory craft and create Egyptian castanets
    BSL interpreter

  • Puppet Making  2–4pm, Islamic Middle East Gallery 31
    Learn the art of puppet making

  • Bollywood Workshop by Jay Kumar & Dance team  1:30–2pm, Lecture Theatre
    Find your inner Bollywood dancer in this interactive workshop with Jay Kumar

  • Folklore Fashion Show  2–2:30pm, Atrium and 2.30-3pm, Gallery 8
    A mesmerising fashion show sharing Iraqi history and culture through contemporary design. Local designer Dhamyaa Abbas shares her bespoke traditional pieces with a modern Iraqi twist. Part of the MultakaOxford project and the Turathuna Association

  • Ramayana Puppet Show  2–3.00pm, Lecture Theatre
    Experience the epic story from India conveyed in just 15 minutes, through six beautifully handcrafted puppets, with atmospheric music and a simple narrative. A show for everyone
    BSL interpreter

  • Finding Our Way   2.10-3.10pm, Greek and Roman Sculpture Gallery 21
    Watch an excerpt from Still Breathing, a performance exploring how communities deal with grief, loss and celebrate life. Engage with a wearable archive, created by Rachel Barbaresi. Presented by Finding Our Way, a research collaboration bringing together Oxford and Oxford Brookes Universities and Unlock the Chains Collective, which explores the African-Caribbean experience in Oxford

  • Laughter Yoga  2.10-2.50pm, European Art Gallery 44
    Learn the art of laughter yoga

  • Hindu Invocation  3–3.15pm, Atrium
    Listen to Sanskrit Mantras and experience the Hindu religion

  • Bollywood Dancing Session  3.15–3.45pm, Atrium and all galleries
    Experience Bollywood dancing and be prepared to join in

  • Azan, Islamic Call to Prayer - As'r  3.45–3.50pm, Atrium
    Listen to an Islamic call to prayer in the Atrium. Prayer Rooms available in the Family Lunch Room & Gallery 29

Sunday, 12 Feb 2023 (12–4pm)

 

  • Azan, Islamic Call to Prayer - Zuh'r  12.21–12.30pm, Atrium
    Listen to an Islamic call to prayer in the Atrium. Prayer Rooms available in the Family Lunch Room & Gallery 29

  • Evolution of Jewish Music  12.15–1.15pm, Gallery 44
    Listen and participate in the evolution of Jewish music across time and cultures

  • Bhajan Singing  12:15–12:45pm, Greek and Roman Sculpture Gallery 21
    Listen to classical Indian singing

  • Islamic Calligraphy Workshop  12.30-2.30, Islamic Middle East Gallery 31
    Learn the art of Islamic Calligraphy and hear the story 'Ramadan Around the World'

  • Tales and Myths of Ancient Egypt  1–2pm, Dynastic Egypt and Sudan Gallery 23
    An opportunity for families to relax and take in the surroundings of the Ancient Egyptian gallery while being regaled with edited abbreviations of some of the most famous stories and myths from Ancient Egypt
  • Evolution of Indian Classical music: an exploration  1–2pm, Greek and Roman Sculpture Gallery 21
    Experience the vibrancy of Indian music across time
  • All You Can Do is Tell the Story  1.20–2:20pm, European Art Gallery 44
    Listen to family stories; the hilarious, the tragic and the hopeful, intertwined with traditional Jewish stories with Adele Moss. This sessions is suitable for children, but please be aware that themes of the Holocaust feature in the stories
    BSL interpreter
  • Bharatanatyam Indian classical dance and workshop  2.00–2:30pm, Gallery 8
    Experience an Indian classical dance performance and workshop
  • ​​Hindu Invocation  2–2.15pm, Atrium
    Listen to Sanskrit Mantras and experience the Hindu religion
  • Rumi Poetry and Music   2.20–3.30pm, Atrium
    A collection of musical performances inspired by the words and poems of Rumi with the Oxford Rumi Study Group
  • Sensory Craft Workshop: Ancient Egypt  2.15–2.45pm, Dynastic Egypt and Sudan Gallery 23
    Relax with a sensory craft and create Egyptian castanets
  • Roundtable Discussion: Fasting and Carnival across Religions   2.30–3.30pm, Lecture Theatre
    A cross-religion discussion of fasting, lent, fast foods and carnival celebration. Includes perspectives of Baha’i, Hindu, Islamic, Jewish and Eastern and Western Christian traditions
    BSL interpreter
  • Purim Groggers and Mask Making  2.30–4pm, Asian Crossroads Orientation Gallery 28
    Create Jewish Groggers (wooden rattles) and Masks and learn about the Jewish festival of Purim
  • Baha’i  ​​​​​Book Making Workshop  2.30–4pm, Islamic Middle East Gallery 31
    Tell your own story through the process of making a hand-stitched book and card cover, which you can take home Select inspirational texts in a calligraphic script, chosen from spiritual traditions penned and printed on paper.
    Limited capacity, max.12 participants at a time
  • Print Workshop  12.30-1.20pm & 1.30–2.20pm, Lecture Theatre
    Create prints with artist Asma Hashmi
  • Jewish Melodic Prayer  3.30–3.40pm, Atrium
    The Jewish Community shares a melodic prayer, 'Yedid Nefesh'
  • Azan, Islamic Call to Prayer - As'r  3.45–3.50pm, Atrium
    Listen to an Islamic call to prayer in the Atrium. Prayer Rooms available in the Family Lunch Room & Gallery 29
  • Finding Community in Ancient Egypt: A Gallery Tour  Every 30 mins, from 12.20–12.50pm & 2.45-4.05pm
    Egypt Galleries 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26
    Transport back in time and learn the stories of the Ancient Egyptians
    Limited capacity, sign-up at Welcome Desk for a sticker and tour time
    BSL interpreter
  • Farewell and thanks for support  3.45–4pm, Atrium
    Contributors are thanked for their support
  • Thanks for your support  3:55-4:00pm, Atrium
    Lucy Shipp, Head of Informal Learning and Public Programmes, thanks contributors for their support
    BSL Interpreter

Access Information:

•    A Quiet and Prayer room space will be available in the Family Lunch Room in the Learning Studio available 10 - 5pm both days, for meditation, rest, prayer, personal reflection, meditation or a quiet space.
•    There is BSL interpretation for some events within the programme on both days. Please see the full programme for details.
•    There is level access throughout the Museum, with ramps into the building, lifts to all floors. Wheelchairs are available.
•    If you need any assistance on the day, please ask our Visitor Experience Assistants for help.