In Summer 2019 Essex Cultural Diversity Project worked with partners and venues across Norfolk to deliver a programme of exciting events, as part of the Festival of Norfolk & Punjab 2019. 

The Festival of Norfolk & Punjab took place 15 June until 3 August, and was a countywide celebration of the life and achievements of the Duleep Singh family and their contribution to Norfolk. The ‘Duleep Singhs’, the last Royal family of the Punjab were associated with Norfolk for almost a century. Highlights includes a special exhibition and events at Ancient House Museum; a Maharajah’s Feast at Elveden Village Hall with performers from Rajasthan, India; tours, workshops and family events at Norwich Castle and the Museum of Norwich; healthy punjabi food demos, Bollywood dance workshops, and a grand finale in Thetford.

We’d like to thank all of our funders, partners, performers, speakers and artists who helped make the Festival such a huge success, as well as all those who came and took part!

Photo and Video highlights

FULL PROGRAMME

To read the full programme click on the link below.
Festival of Norfolk & Punjab Programme 2019

There was a wide range of activities planned, from live music, dance and performance, to talks, food demos, and family events. st Church, Thetford.

Thanks to all those who helped make the Festival such a success, including:

Our funders and key partners: Arts Council England | Heritage Fund | Breckland Council | Ancient House Museum | Norfolk Museums Service

Supporters, venues and artists: About Thetford Magazine | Ancient House Teenage History Club | Aya Cuisine | Breckland Council | Bollywood Sparkles | Charles Burrell Centre | Circus Raj | the Cultural Engine | DEA Orchestra (the Dhol Enforcement Agency) | Elveden Village Hall | Folk Dance Remixed | Jaya Dance | Jugnu Bangra | Lata Upadhyaya and her Arts in Transit Team | Leaping Hare | the Lively Crew | Norfolk Museums Service | Norfolk World Music Festival | Norfolk Arts Centre | Peter Bance | Nanaki Bance | the Rajasthan Heritage Brass Band | Sarah Brady | Sathnam Sanghera | Seema Anand | Shane Shambu | Sikh Museum Initiative | South Norfolk Council | Thetford Library | Thetford on the Green | Thomas Paine Hotel, Thetford | Time Will Tell Theatre | Virsa Punjab Bhangra Dancers

The Festival of Norfolk & Punjab, 15 June – 3 August, was a county wide celebration of the life and achievements of the Duleep Singh family, the last Royal family of the Punjab, and their contribution to Norfolk.