ABSTRACT
Raising awareness both of similarities and differences is a major challenge for those working in community and cultural education. It is important for different community groups to feel comfortable with the identity of others, and to accept and tolerate difference. One of the most interesting and accessible ways of celebrating both similarities and differences is through the grouping of community festivals which have a common theme
Bradford is an example of a northern industrial English city which has used its diverse culture and ethnic arts to help regenerate the city and to develop tourism. Hope and Klemm (2001) describe how Bradford developed its tourism industry almost from scratch, and has consequently never been a ‘natural’ tourist attraction. Until 1980 Bradford did not have a tourist industry at all; however, it was recognised by the city council that it could appeal potentially to the short break market. Consequently, Bradford started to promote its industrial heritage, coupled with the culture of its large Asian community. Bradford now markets itself as ‘Vibrant, diverse and full of surprises’. Much of its unique tourism product derives from the presence of its multi-ethnic population and tributes to their rich heritage and culture. One of the biggest selling points has been Asian cuisine, and a booklet called Flavours of Asia was produced. This detailed fifty or so Asian restaurants, several curry tours, the largest Asian store in Europe, some sari centres, a brief history of various Asian religions and the patterns of immigration to Britain (Urry, 1990). Bradford is now known as the curry capital of England! Indian film and music is so prevalent that one cinema specialises in Bollywood and two others, including the National Museum of Film, Photography and Television, stages the Bite the Mango festival with pictures from Black and Asian countries. In addition, in April 2001, the Mughal Water Gardens were officially opened. These are designed in the architectural style of the Mughal Dynasty which ruled northern India from 1526 to 1858.
