ONE WORLD FAMILY FESTIVAL 2024

DOWNLOAD THE FESTIVAL PROGRAMME

Saturday 10 Feb 2024, 11–4.30pm

• Welcome and One World Poem  11am, Atrium (BSL)
  The opening of the One World Family Festival led by Ashmolean Director of Audiences and Content, Gina Koutsika, featuring a reading of the poem 'One World'
• World Board Games  11am–3pm, Gallery 35 (interactive)
  Play board games from around the world 
• A Taste of China  11am–4pm, Gallery 31 (interactive) 
  Enjoy family-friendly activities that reflect Chinese cultural heritage including dressing up and taking photos in traditional Chinese costumes, a traditional papercutting workshop, Dunhuang Dance demonstrations, a Peking Opera sample and Erhu recital at 11.30am and 3pm.  
• Interfaith Harmony: Singing Together, Across Languages and Times  11.15am–12pm, Gallery 14 
  This event presents music from medieval religious illuminated manuscripts from the Bodleian Library. The performance will also feature songs in Hebrew, Greek, Latin, German, and English for all to join, and will be interspersed with the sound of shofar and shell horn. Organised by the Oxford Interfaith Forum with the St Edmund Consort. 
• Interfaith Harmony through Ritual, Meditation, and Visual Art  11.15am–12.15pm, Lecture Theatre (BSL) (interactive)
  Across religions and cultures, ritual, meditation, and storytelling bind people together and help them find and create meaning in their lives. Through presentation and audience participation, we hope to help you reflect more deeply on how humans around the world use ritual, meditation, and storytelling in their spiritual and religious traditions. 
  *Note: Limited capacity due to the space. Visitors should go to the Information Desk to receive a free sticker to guarantee their place for the event on a first-come, first-served basis. 
• Rumi Music Time  11.15am–12.15pm, Gallery 44 
  Music and spoken word, reflecting the spirit of Rumi, the eminent 13th-century Sufi master and poet. Jay Rumi, a contemporary Oxford-based poet, leads this collection of performances, which will be presented by the Oxford Rumi Study Group.
  *Note: Limited capacity due to the space. Visitors should go to the Information Desk to receive a free sticker to guarantee their place for the event on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Nepalese Cultural Dance  12–1pm, Gallery 21 (interactive)
  Nepal is a small beautiful country and rich in tradition and culture. 'We Nepalese living in Oxfordshire are trying to preserve our traditions and culture as much as possible. We are very pleased to present our cultural dance of our children at the Ashmolean Museum'. 
• Colours Festival Workshop  12–3pm, Education Gallery by the Learning Studio, on -1 Floor (interactive) 
  Join to explore patterns and colours. Create 'The Wall of Colours' collage, to design and colour a vibrant Rangoli. Use your body as a canvas, let a Henna artist get creative, allowing you to take away a temporary tattoo design on your hand. 
• Adhan, Islamic Call to Prayer - Zuhr  12.15pm, Atrium 
  The Adhan is the Muslim call to prayer, and it is said five times a day by a mu’adhin. Traditionally, the mu’adhin would stand atop of the mosque roof or the minaret. With the advent of the microphone the melodious call to prayer is now often said within the mosque, the amplification carrying mu’adhin’s beautiful voice outside into the neighbourhood. 
• Christian Handbell Ringers  1pm, Atrium
  Listen to skilled ringers from the Oxford Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers and Christ Church Cathedral ringing changes using handbells. Originating in 17th-century England, these melodic instruments have evolved into a cherished form of calling people to worship. 
• Stained Glass  1.15–2.15pm, Lecture Theatre (BSL) (interactive)
  After a brief introduction to stained glass, one window will be described that demonstrates the interpretation of scripture and briefly contrast it with a window portraying the life of a saint.  Then make your own 'stained glass window' by explaining the stages of window production. Then, have a go at making your own 'stained glass window' design.
  *Note: Limited capacity due to the space. Visitors should go to the Information Desk to receive a free sticker to guarantee their place for the event on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Dunhuang Dance  1.20–1.50pm, Gallery 21 (interactive)
  Watch a Dunhuang Dance that reflects Chinese cultural heritage. Aubretia Dance Studio will perform The Prayer of Thousand Years. Dunhuang dances are inspired by the images of flying apsaras (Feitian) from the Mogao grottoes in West China.
• Hindu Invocation - Bhajan and Chanting  1.30pm, Atrium 
  Come and share in the spiritual kirtans and the expression of devotion. 
• Christian Handbell Ringers  2pm, Atrium 
  Listen to skilled ringers from the Oxford Diocesan Guild of Church Bell Ringers and Christ Church Cathedral ringing changes using handbells. Originating in 17th-century England, these melodic instruments have evolved into a cherished form of calling people to worship.
• Annual Johannes Lähnemann Interfaith Peacebuilding Lecture  2–3pm, Taylorian, Room 2, St Giles, Oxford OX1 3NA
  A linked event, organised by the Oxford Interfaith Forum. Free, registration required, find details here
• Adhan, Islamic Call to Prayer - Asr   2.40pm, Atrium 
  The Adhan is the Muslim call to prayer, and it is said five times a day by a mu’adhin. Traditionally, the mu’adhin would stand atop of the mosque roof or the minaret. With the advent of the microphone the melodious call to prayer is now often said within the mosque, the amplification carrying mu’adhin’s beautiful voice outside into the neighbourhood. 
• Becoming: stories and songs  2.50–3.50pm, Gallery 21 
  Follow the narrative of a young woman as she navigates the realms of love, relationships, migration, and the complexities of growing up within the intersections of two distinct cultures. Join a captivating journey, tracing her life from childhood to young adulthood across the vibrant landscapes of London and Nigeria. Melodic interludes feature songs sung in Yoruba, a tribute to the cultural tapestry and linguistic diversity of Nigeria. Look out for the full production coming soon. 
• Classical Indian Music  3–3.30pm, Gallery 44 
  Listen to flautist Prayag Kotecha and percussionist Nihal Singh perform music from the classical traditions of North India. Nihal will begin with a drum solo on  joṛī-pakhāvaj of the Sultānpur Lodhī-Amritsarī Bāj, accompanied on the bamboo flute. Prayag will then play Rāga Bhīmpalāsī on the bānsurī, with tablā accompaniment. 
  *Note: Limited capacity due to the space. Visitors should go to the Information Desk to receive a free sticker to guarantee their place for the event on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Hindu Invocation - Bhajan and Chanting  3.45pm, Atrium 
  Come and share in the spiritual kirtans and the expression of devotion. 
• Holi Celebration  4–4.45pm, Atrium and Forecourt (BSL)
  Holi, a Hindu festival, has been celebrated since ancient times and is also known as the Festival of Colours as it welcomes the colours of Spring. It is a time for New Beginnings, reflection, appreciation and celebrating friendships. Watch the story behind the legend of Holi presented through Indian dance and drama. Watch a performance of 'Ghoomar' a twirling colourful folk dance, a way of celebrating. Let’s celebrate the colours of friendship on the Forecourt to the beat of the Dhol. 

Sunday 11 Feb 2024, 11–4.30pm

• World Board Games  11am–3pm, Gallery 35 (interactive)
  Play boardgames from around the world 
• Islamic Calligraphy  11am–3pm, Gallery 31 (interactive)
  In this activity, you will create a lovely mini paper organizer, decorated with Islamic-patterned paper, and have your name written in Arabic to add to it. When you are finished, you will have a handmade product that you would love to show around, and that is handy too! For the little hands, they can enjoy colouring Islamic patterns and/or Arabic letters. Little hands can enjoy colouring Islamic patterns or Arabic letters. 
• Turkish Marbling Art  11am–1.30pm, Lecture Theatre (interactive)
  Ebru is the traditional Turkish art of creating colourful patterns on water, that are transferred to paper. The patterns often include flowers, latticework, masques and moons. Join this interactive art activity to create beautiful marbled patterns on water using this traditional technique. Once dry you can take your marbled paper *Note: Limited capacity due to the space. Visitors should go to the Information Desk to receive a free sticker to guarantee their place for the event on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Joseph and the Coat of Many Colours  11.30am–3pm, 2–3pm (BSL) Gallery 23 (interactive)
  Joseph, apple of his father’s eye, strolls around with his coat of dazzling colours streaming behind him, while his work-weary brothers look on. Adele Moss tells you the story and then you make the coat of your dreams. 
• Adhan, Islamic Call to Prayer Zuhr  12.15pm, Atrium 
  The Adhan is the Muslim call to prayer, and it is said five times a day by a mu’adhin. Traditionally, the mu’adhin would stand atop of the mosque roof or the minaret. With the advent of the microphone the melodious call to prayer is now often said within the mosque, the amplification carrying mu’adhin’s beautiful voice outside into the neighbourhood. 
• Jewish Melodic Prayer  1pm, Atrium 
  The Jewish Community shares a melodic prayer, Bar'chu. This prayer marks the beginning of Jewish communal worship in a service.
• Tactile Wall Hanging With Braille  11am, 11am (BSL), 1pm, 3pm (each tour is approx. 45mins long)
  Starts in Gallery 30 (Tour includes Galleries, 30, 2, 4 and 5) 
  This tour is about the development of Tactile Wall Hanging with Braille. It will explore the relationship of the design process to museum engagement and those with disabilities, taking inspiration from textile artefacts. This will be complemented by a display with related information and an opportunity share feedback on the work. 
  *Note: Limited capacity due to the space. Visitors should go to the Information Desk to receive a free sticker to guarantee their place for the event on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Japanese Tea Ceremony  1.15pm, 1.15pm (BSL), 2.15pm, 3.15pm (each ceremony is approximately 30 minutes long), Gallery 36 (interactive)
  Enjoy a bowl of matcha tea in our Japanese tea house, and discover more about the art of the tea ceremony. 
  *Note: Limited capacity due to the space. Visitors should go to the Information Desk to receive a free sticker to guarantee their place for the event on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Garba and Block Printing Workshop  2–4pm, 3–3.30pm (BSL), Lecture Theatre (interactive)
  Immerse yourself in the rhythm of Garba dancing and unleash your creativity with block printing. Dance joyously, celebrating togetherness through a fun participatory Garba dance session suitable for everyone. Take part in a hands-on workshop to create unique block-printed masterpieces with artists from OVADA *Note: Limited capacity due to the space. Visitors should go to the Information Desk to receive a free sticker to guarantee their place for the event on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Learn a Song with Starling Sessions  2.20–3.20pm, Gallery 8 (interactive)
  Learn an international folk song by ear and from scratch with members of the Starling Sessions. All ages, abilities, voices, and instruments welcome. No experience necessary. There will be an opportunity for participants to join the Starlings’ performance later in the afternoon.    
• Songs without Words - A Nigun Workshop  2.30–3.30pm, Gallery 44 (interactive)
  Join us for a circle of traditional Jewish melodies. These 'niggunim' are meant to be sung together, melodies and harmonies weaving in and out, letting the sound wash over you. The melodies will be taught first and no one needs any prior experience - just a desire to sing and a love for music. 
  *Note: Limited capacity due to the space. Visitors should go to the Information Desk to receive a free sticker to guarantee their place for the event on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Adhan, Islamic Call to Prayer - Asr  2.40pm, Atrium 
  The Adhan is the Muslim call to prayer, and it is said five times a day by a mu’adhin. Traditionally, the mu’adhin would stand atop of the mosque roof or the minaret. With the advent of the microphone the melodious call to prayer is now often said within the mosque, the amplification carrying mu’adhin’s beautiful voice outside into the neighbourhood. 
• Hindu Invocation - Bhajan and Chanting  3.30pm, Atrium 
  Come and share in the spiritual kirtans and the expression of devotion. 
• Jewish Tunes: Much Loved Melodies from the Jewish world  3.45–4.30pm, Gallery 44 
  Music is a very central part of Jewish life, both in the secular and in the sacred sphere.  This programme is a voyage through the many melodies that have inspired Jewish people over the last few hundred years, wherever they have lived. 
  *Note: Limited capacity due to the space. Visitors should go to the Information Desk to receive a free sticker to guarantee their place for the event on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Event Close  4pm, Atrium (BSL)
  The closing of the One World Family Festival led by Ashmolean Director, Xa Sturgis.
• Starling Session  4.15–4.45pm, Atrium (BSL)
  Think local, folk global! Oxfordians from around the world come together to perform the music of their heritage in an international community folk orchestra.