THE IMMIGRANTS OF SPITALFIELDS FESTIVAL
Introduction
Historic places of interest
For nearly 500 years Spitalfields was the first port of call for many different migrant groups arriving in London. Learn about this fascinating and diverse part of London and enjoy a wide range of events celebrating the lives, heritage and outstanding contributions of people from different faiths and cultural backgrounds, who have made Spitalfields their home.
Visit one of the many historical places which still play an essential role in the community today.
Daily Walks
Walks in Spitalfields
Celebrating the lives and heritage of multi-cultural Spitalfields immigrantsofspitalfields.org.uk A joint initiative of the Swadhinata Trust, Sandys Row Synagogue and Huguenots of Spitalfields
Take to the streets with an expert guide and explore the rich migrant history of Spitalfields; includes Bengali, Jewish and Huguenot themed walks.
19-21 June 11am, 2pm and 6pm £10, book via immigrantsofspitalfields. eventbrite.com For details of meeting points visit immigrantsofspitalfields.org.uk
Dennis Severs’ House
An intimate portrait of Huguenot silk weavers from the 18th century. Sun 12-4pm, Mon 12-2pm, Tue 9am-5pm 18 Folgate St E1 6BX £15, book via dennissevershouse.co.uk
German Lutheran Church
Brick Lane Mosque
The centre of worship for French protestants, Christians, Jews and Muslims. Dress code applies.* 59 Brick Ln E1 6QL Mon 2-4pm bricklanejammemasjid.co.uk
Christ Church
The oldest German church in Britain. 55 Alie St, Aldgate E1 8EB Sun, Mon & Tue 2-4pm stgeorgesgermanchurch.org.uk
Hawksmoor’s masterpiece and one of the finest baroque churches in England. Commercial St E1 6LY Tue 2-4pm ccspitalfields.org
Bevis Marks Synagogue
Nelson Street Synagogue
The oldest Synagogue in Britain. 4 Heneage Ln EC3A 5DQ Sun 10.30-12.30pm, Mon 10.302.30pm, Tue 10.30-1pm sephardi.org.uk
Sandys Row Synagogue
London’s oldest Ashkenazi Synagogue, once a Huguenot chapel. 4a Sandys Row E1 7HW Mon 2-4pm sandysrowsynagogue.org
An orthodox Ashkenazi synagogue in the heart of the East End. Nelson St E1 2DS Tue 12-4pm jewishgen.org Booking fees may apply. Programme subject to change; for the full events programme and for further information visit: immigrantsofspitalfields.org.uk
* Dress code applies: knees and shoulders to be covered for both men and women. Upon entering the Mosque you will be required to remove your shoes.
The Gentle Author
THE IMMIGRANTS OF SPITALFIELDS FESTIVAL 19-21 June 2016
A joint initiative of the Swadhinata Trust, Sandys Row Synagogue and Huguenots of Spitalfields, with the support of the City of London Corporation and King’s College London. Festival Patrons: John Biggs, Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets The Rt. Revd. & Rt. Hon. Richard Chartres KCVO FSA Rushanara Ali MP Michael Rosen, novelist and poet
Cover image: Brick Lane Mosque – The Gentle Author
19-21 June 2016
1-2pm Hanbury Hall, 22 Hanbury St E1 6QR £5, book via thechildrenofimmigrants. eventbrite.co.uk
Film Screenings at Whitechapel Gallery
Enjoy an afternoon of documentaries, shorts and artists films exploring migration and refugee communities, with readings and discussions. 1.30-6pm Whitechapel Gallery, 77-82 Whitechapel High St E1 7QX £5/free for concession, book via whitechapelgallery.org
Stories and song from the Jewish East End Join author Rachel Lichtenstein and friends for an afternoon of sound recordings, literature excerpts and Jewish jokes with lively music from the Klezmer Klub; bringing Yiddish songs, characters and places to life. Kosher refreshments. 4-6pm Sandys Row Synagogue, 4a Sandys Row E1 7HW £12/£10 concession, book via storiesandsong.eventbrite.co.uk
Hear the Gentle Author tell the stories behind remarkable portraits of Horace Warner’s ‘Spitalfields Nippers’ – photographs of the children of Irish immigrants around 1900.
5-6pm Underground Cinema at The Water Poet, 9-11 Folgate St E1 6BX £10/£8 concession, book via theirishinspitalfields eventbrite.co.uk
Abhijan Traveller to a New Destination
Explore displacement, travel and arrival through Bengali poetry, music, and dance. 6-8pm Kobi Nazrul Centre, 30 Hanbury St E1 6QR £10/£8 concession, book via abhijan.eventbrite.co.uk
Close-up Film Centre
View a special feature programme marking UN Refugee Day. 8pm 97 Sclater St E1 6HR £12 adults/£10 concession/ £8 members, book via closeupfilmcentre.com
Was my ancestor a Huguenot?
Join Dr. Kathy Chater – historian and genealogist – to discover if your family’s story of descent came from the Huguenots. 11am-12noon Hanbury Hall, 22 Hanbury St E1 6QR £5, book via kathychater.eventbrite.co.uk
Free demonstrations by the London Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers: Sari Session with Shagufta Sharmeen
Witness the skills of the weaver at close hand and learn how to wear a sari. 12-1pm and 2-3pm Hanbury Hall, 22 Hanbury St E1 6QR FREE londonguildofweavers.org.uk / swadhinata.org.uk
From Spitalfields to East Anglia
Join textile expert Mary Schoeser to hear stories of rich silk merchants and hard-working journeymen weavers. 1-2pm Hanbury Hall, 22 Hanbury St E1 6QR £5, book via spitalfieldstoeastanglia. eventbrite.co.uk
Bishopsgate Institute
Enjoy a personal tour by Library and Archive Manager Stefan Dickers. 2-3pm Bishopsgate Institute, 230 Bishopsgate EC2M 4QH FREE, book via bishopsgatetour.eventbrite.co.uk
A Tea Drinking Nation: How Britain Came to Identify with a Migrant Alien in the Early 18th Century
Join Prof. Markman Ellis to hear how, within a 100 years, tea was transformed from an exotic alien to ‘a nice cup of tea’. 3-4pm Hanbury Hall, 22 Hanbury St E1 6QR £5, book via ateadrinkingnation. eventbrite.co.uk
Literature of the Jewish East End
Hear cultural historian and author Ken Worpole discuss Simon Blumenfeld’s great works exploring Jewish immigration.
7-8pm Brick Lane Bookshop, 166 Brick Ln E1 6RU £5, book via literaturejewisheastend. eventbrite.co.uk
Three Faiths, One Humanity
The Other Migrants of Spitalfields
Visit a synagogue, a Protestant church and a mosque to meet a Rabbi, a Pastor and an Imam. Dress code applies.*
Join historian and author Dan Cruickshank for a talk about the many waves of migrants who have settled in Spitalfields from the 18th century onwards.
10am-12.30pm Meet at Sandys Row Synagogue, 4a Sandys Row E1 7HW £15, book via threefaithsonehumanity. eventbrite.co.uk
5.45-8pm Guildhall Library, Aldermanbury EC2V 7HH £5 (including glass of wine), book via theothermigrantsofspitalfields. eventbrite.co.uk
Coats (and Dresses) of Many Colours: the History of Clothing and Textiles in Spitalfields
‘In This World’ Fundraiser Screening
Enjoy a screening of Michael Winterbottom’s part documentary, part drama, ‘In This World’ (2002) with proceeds going to Médecins Sans Frontières.
Explore the political, economic and social context of the Spitalfields textile community with John Eversley. 2-3pm Sandys Row Synagogue, 4a Sandys Row E1 7HW £5, book via coatsanddresses.eventbrite.co.uk
7.30pm Toynbee Studios, 28 Commercial St E1 6AB £10, book via artsadmin.co.uk
A Touch of Bengal
Be captivated by Shagufta Sharmeen as she portrays the journey of Bengali poets since the age of Charyapada; includes work by Nobel Prizewinner Rabindranath Tagore. 3-4pm Town House, 5 Fournier St E1 6QE £5, book via touchofbengal.eventbrite.co.uk
Marenka Gabler
Listen to a talk by ethnographer Dr. Daniel DeHanas of King’s College London.
All about the Irish
Tuesday 21st
Bishopsgate Institute
The Children of Immigrants: The Religious and Cultural Lives of Young East End Bengalis
Monday 20th
Bishopsgate Institute
Sunday 19th