South Asian Heritage Month: Free To Be Me

South Asian Heritage Month is an annual educational and celebratory event, which is running between 18 July and 17 August. During this month, we celebrate South Asian history and culture, whilst reflecting on the major contributions that the community has made to the UK. The first South Asian Heritage Month event was launched by the South Asian community in the UK in July 2019 at the House of Commons. This year’s theme is ‘free to be me’.

From sports and entertainment to technology and the sciences, South Asians have made significant contributions to this country. Focusing on healthcare – the NHS, as reported by NHS Employers, has a higher proportion of staff from South Asia than the wider UK economy: these staff made up 5.3 per cent (75,473) of the NHS workforce in 2023.

Whilst South Asian Heritage Month allows us all to celebrate South Asian culture and heritage, it also encourages us to consider the challenges many within the community face and consider how we can eradicate such barriers and inequalities.

Here is a list of some upcoming local events celebrating this month:

26th July (8:45 pm) – Film Screening: ‘Matangi/Maya/M.I.A’ – The Garden Cinema, London, 39-41 Parker St, London WC2B 5EF

27th July (2–3:20 pm) – Block printing workshop with Sunbul Akhtar – Orange Café, 82-84 Turnpike Lane, London N8 0PR

28th July (11:15-12:45 pm) – Walk: Turnpike Lane and South Asian Heritage – Orange Café, 82-84 Turnpike Lane, London N8 0PR

29th July (6:20-7:40 pm) – Film Screening: Original Copy – The Garden Cinema, London, 39-41 Parker St, London WC2B 5EF

30th July (5:30-8:30 pm) – Panel Discussion: ‘Free To Be Me’ – Islington Town Hall, Upper St, London N1 2UD