Day 130, Year of #Mygration: Islamic Art in the Park and Parade of Colours at Willen Lake

The Open University was proud to support Milton Keynes Islamic Arts, Heritage and Culture this year. It was the 10^th anniversary of the Art in the Park Festival on 30 June, 2018. The festival included a Caribbean Steel Band, Ayan De First and Oduduwa Talking Drummers, Chinese Fan Dancers, London Syrian Ensemble, a Grand Indian Circus and Hiddo Iyo Dhaqan and Simo Lagnawi, Gnawa Moroccan Folklore Group.

In addition, there was a BBQ adventure at the Art of Food tent and Artist in conversation, exhibition and art workshops at the Art Marquee. The story would be incomplete without the mention of a range of choice at the food stalls. The event was attended by thousands of people from Milton Keynes and further afield. The parade of colours was a fitting scene for the celebration of diversity in Milton Keynes. The event was attended by Dr Fidele Mutwarasibo, Visiting Research Fellow at OU’s Centre for Voluntary Sector Leadership. He advised his highlight was 'having a Yemeni Coffee in the Bedouin tent. It was the coolest place around Willen Lake and highlighted what we can learn from other cultures as we enjoy the heatwave'.