It was a treat to hear the Festival featuring on Anna Foster’s BBC Radio Newcastle show yesterday. She interviewed Festival Co-ordinator, Declan Baharini, to find out more about the Festival, what it aims to achieve and what schools, families and communities can get involved with during the Festival month of March.
Declan talked about how the Festival is a celebration the diverse languages and cultures in the region and our connections with the world, how it provides free activities and events to inspire, engage and enthuse children and people of all ages to learn languages and learn more about those around them. She also talked about some of the activities, such as the Festival Song and Mother Tongue Other Tongue activities, which enable children and young people to sing and write in their home languages and languages they are learning. Declan also spoke about the influence of her mother, who inspired her to learn languages and explore the world.
You can listen to the interview on BBC Sounds by clicking on the image below. The interview runs from 1 hour 15 minutes to 22 minutes (1.15.25-1.22.44) and the second part of the interview is at 1 hour 30 to 38 minutes (1.30.29-1.38.16). You will need to sign in with a BBC account to access the recording. The recording will be available until 20th April 2023.
Thank you Anna for sharing the opportunities available for the people of the North East to express themselves!