ONE WORLD FAMILY FESTIVAL 2025

FREE

Sat 22 & Sun 23 Feb 2025
11am–4.30pm

Bringing together communities and faiths of Oxfordshire
 

Download the PDF Event Programme

 

One World Family Festival globe graphic illustration

 

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

This year’s theme for our annual One World Family Festival is 'In Unity – Exploring the Past, Our Planet and Community'.

From traditional Chinese dancing to African fitness dancing and an Egyptian time capsule craft to Polish cuisine, there's something for everyone at this fantastic weekend festival.

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

General information:

  • The programme is free, with a suggested programme donation of £6 per family
  • Photographs will be taken at the event

Access Information:

  • All of the event spaces have level access, with ramps into the building and lifts to all floors. Wheelchairs are available
  • If you need any assistance on the day, please ask our Visitor Experience Assistants for help
  • Please note that there will be limits on capacity for certain activities and Museum locations

PROGRAMME DETAILS

Download the PDF Event Programme

Saturday 22 Feb 2025, 11am–4.30pm

  • Welcome, 11am–12pm, Atrium (BSL)
    Opening of the One World Family Festival with Ashmolean Director of Audiences and Content, Gina Koutsika.
  • Open Africa, 11am–12.30pm, Gallery 21 (Interactive)
    Celebrate African identity and heritage with AFiUK.
  • Community Rangoli, 11am–1pm, Gallery 31 (Interactive)
    Create rangoli patterns with OVADA  and take home a dal recipe card. Please note this activity includes dal, a legume which can be an allergen.
  • Ney Music Performance, 11am–12pm, Gallery 44 (Limited Capacity)
    Experience a meditative performance on the Ney, a traditional wind instrument.
  • Unity in Diversity, 11.15am–1.15pm, Lecture Theatre
    A performance celebrating Bengali culture with music, dance, and poetry.
  • Time Capsule Workshop, 11.15am–4pm, Gallery 22 (Interactive)
    Create a time capsule and decorate it with Arabic calligraphy.
  • Youth Forum: Young Eyes on Museum Treasures, 11.15am–1.15pm, Gallery 11 (BSL) (Limited Capacity)
    Discover findings from young researchers on dragons of the world with MUZIM-Art4Connect .
  • Hindu Invocation — Bhajan and Chanting, 11.30am, Atrium
    Share in spiritual kirtans and expressions of devotion with Oxford Hindu Temple.
  • Henna, 12pm–3pm, Gallery 35 (Interactive)
    Experience the art of Henna with intricate designs.
  • Adhan, Islamic Call to Prayer Zuhr and Asr, 12.30pm & 3.45pm, Atrium
    Listen to the Adhan, the melodic Muslim call to prayer.
  • The Ashmolean Conversations, 1pm–2pm, Gallery 44 (Limited Capacity) (Interactive)
    An interactive workshop celebrating Africa and the Caribbean through art and folklore.
  • The Whole World Is One Family, 1pm–3pm, Gallery 21
    Join Oxford Hindu Temple  for a celebration with dance, drama, and spiritual chanting.
  • A Taste of Poland, 1.45pm–3.45pm, Lecture Theatre (Interactive)
    Discover Polish heritage through food and science, with Oxford Polish Association .
  • Sacred Sounds from the Past, 2.15pm–4.15pm, Gallery 44 (Limited Capacity)
    Enjoy a multilingual performance of sacred songs and devotional melodies with Oxford Interfaith Forum.
  • Christian Handbell Ringers, 2.30pm, Atrium
    Experience the melodic ringing of handbells.
  • Chinese Fashion Show, 3.15pm–4.15pm, Gallery 21
    Celebrate Chinese tradition with a fashion show and live music.
  • Afro-fitness, 3.50pm, Atrium (Interactive)
    Join us for a vibrant dance and fitness session celebrating African heritage.

Sunday 23 Feb 2025, 11am–4.30pm

  • Turkish Water Marbling, 11am–1pm, Lecture Theatre (Limited Capacity) (Interactive)
    Hands-on experience of Turkish Ebru, a 13th-century marbling art.
  • Scribal Art — Beauty in Diversity, 11am–4pm, Gallery 6  (Interactive)
    Explore ancient calligraphy and scripts of Eastern and Western civilisations with Oxford Interfaith Forum.
  • Crafting in Celebration of Trees, 11am–4pm, Gallery 22 (Interactive)
    Create tactile tree artworks while learning about Jewish traditions for Tu B’Shvat.
  • Create a Postage Stamp, 11am–4pm, Gallery 31 (Interactive)
    Design your own oversized postage stamp with Arabic calligraphy.
  • Refugee Art Display, 11am–4pm, Gallery 30 and Learning Studio Lobby (-1)
    Explore art created by asylum seekers and refugees, including new animation with Asylum Welcome.
  • Fun with Fragments!, 11am–4pm, Gallery 35 (Interactive)
    Enjoy crafting with fragments and designs inspired by archaeological sherds.
  • Traditional Chinese Dancing, 11.15am–12.15pm, Gallery 21
    Experience elegant and dynamic performances of Chinese dance.
  • Jewish Storytelling and Music, 11.30am–12.30pm, Gallery 44 (Limited Capacity)
    Delight in Jewish stories and songs celebrating nature and trees.
  • Adhan, Islamic Call to Prayer Zuhr and Asr, 12.30pm & 3.45pm, Atrium
    Listen to the Adhan, the melodic Muslim call to prayer.
  • Becoming — Stories and Songs, 1pm–2pm, Gallery 21
    Join a story about a young girl’s journey between two cultures, exploring identity. With Ayo-Dele.
  • Refugee Art Talks, 1pm–2pm, Gallery 44 (Limited Capacity)
    Hear from refugee artists about their work and creative journeys with Asylum Welcome.
  • Embossed Printmaking Workshop, 1pm–4pm, Gallery 11 (Limited Capacity) (Interactive)
    Create embossed prints using stencils and a press to design unique artworks.
  • Hindu Invocation — Bhajan and Chanting, 1.30pm, Atrium
    Join in spiritual kirtans and chants with Oxford Hindu Temple.
  • Unlocking Ancient China: Rituals for Teens, 2pm–3.30pm, Lecture Theatre
    Re-enact Chinese Coming of Age ceremonies from ancient dynasties.
  • Jewish Melodic Prayer, 2.30pm, Atrium
    Listen to the melodic Jewish prayer, Etz Chayim, with OJC.
  • Dances of Universal Peace, 2.30pm–3.30pm, Gallery 21 (Interactive)
    Learn and participate in songs and circle dances that celebrate world religions.
  • Panel Discussion: Healing our Planet and Ourselves, 2.30pm–3.30pm, Gallery 44 (Limited Capacity)
    Discuss how faith and cultural leaders are working to heal the planet and humanity.
  • Closing of One World Festival, 3.45pm, Atrium
    Join Ashmolean Director Xa Sturgis for the closing of the One World Family Festival.
  • Nepalese Dancers, 3.50pm–4.05pm, Atrium
    Enjoy traditional Nepalese dance performances in vibrant costumes with Oxfordshire Nepalese Community.
     

Download the PDF Event Programme