South Asian Heritage Month (18 July - 17 August)

 

South Asian Heritage Month - 18 July to 17 August 2024 

 

Join us to celebrate South Asian Heritage Month with events taking place on campus...

South Asian Textiles Exhibition - 12pm - 2pm - Library Seminar Room (SB3/01a) 

Join staff from Heritage Quay to explore one of the most interesting historical collections held at Heritage Quay. The Textiles Fabrics of India Archive contains 700 samples from the 19^th Century brought to Huddersfield to demonstrate state-of-the-art styles, colours and techniques at a moment when textile production in England was booming. You will be able to explore the 18 volumes of textiles and learn more about their importance at the time and to historical study of the period.


South Asian Cuisine Stall - 12:30pm - 2pm - Central Lounge (opposite Starbucks)
 

Recipe cards and spice packs inspired by South Asian cuisine will be available at our stall for members of staff and students to take away and try at home! 

Recipe cards devised by members of our South Asian Heritage Month working group provide instructions for an authentic recipe such as biriyani, dhal and traditional South Indian curry, and your spice pack will contain all the herbs and spices needed to create the dish at home. These recipes are designed to be simple and beginner-friendly, and adaptable for different dietary requirements. 

What is South Asian Heritage Month?

South Asian Heritage Month runs 18th July - 17th August each year, celebrating British South Asian heritage in the UK. South Asia is made up of 8 countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, The Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

2024 is the fifth anniversary of its official celebration, and the theme this year is ‘Free to be Me’ - celebrating the diverse experiences of South Asian heritage, providing a platform to highlight South Asian voices, and acknowledging that not everyone feels free to be themselves. 

South Asian influences are found everywhere in Britain - such as in food, clothes and textiles, music, and yoga classes! This month aims to amplify and celebrate South Asian cultural heritage in the UK, as well as look at what it is like to be British South Asian in the present day. People of South Asian heritage are a significant part of the British population, at around 4.5 million as of 2024.

 

South Asian Heritage Month Pen Portraits 

Role Model Portrait from Sarah Ahmed, Director of Partnerships at the University and member of our South Asian Heritage Month Working group - thank you Sarah!