CrossDrifts Festival is an excitingly unique blend of academia and practice. In 2017, we programmed a series of activities that highlighted some of the year’s significant links between UK and Asia. Our presentations were a synthesis of many different British and Asian voices. It was a result of collaborative efforts and a platform that committed to a sharing of non-hierarchichal cultural capital. Check our list of events below and click on any of them to access more information.
2017 marked the 100th anniversary of the forgotten faces of WW1, the Chinese Labour Corps. They set foot in France on 19th April 1917 in support of the British and French armies and played a crucial role during the war by carrying out important manual activities. During London’s Dragon Boat Festival on Sunday 25th June, visitors learnt about the vital contribution of the Chinese Labour Corps during WW1 and after, brilliantly delivered by The Meridian Society. Further heritage events continue until the end of 2018, culminating in a digital memorial of the Chinese Labour Corps that will serve as a lasting tribute to these brave men.
2017 was also UK/India Year of Culture, the 70th anniversary of the Independence of India. In Britindia Day, we celebrated key AAAHA initiatives implemented in the past year with a number of enlightening presentations by our colleagues. They shared the challenges and successes of their be illuminating experiences for all those interested in working in India.
2017 was also the 50th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality in England and as part of our Gender Here And There (GHAT) project, we are thrilled that we partnered with Queer Asia, and the Club Kali Queens for OUTrageous Tales both held at SOAS, University of London. There was also the unusual combination of the Pink Singers + Rainbow Singers from Mumbai.
Figure This, was an inspirational art exhibition curated by X.D.G, combining both the Chinese and gender themes, held at Thameside Complex in Grays, Essex in the first half of June. This exhibition established the foundation of future AAAHA arts projects between the UK and China.
We also presented some great musical treats on Sunday 9th July with Nepalese band Namlo and Balinese gendér wayang ensemble Segara Madu. A wonderful opportunity not only to hear them but also to eat some delicious Nepalese food. SOAS offered an exciting Summer Music School of world-wide music – unique, varied and truly multi-cultural, intensive and inspirational courses, practical workshops, taster sessions and master classes for students of all backgrounds, beginners to advanced, amateur and professional.
PROGRAMME
Figure This
Daily 1-15 June, 10am-11pm (closed Sunday)
Thameside Complex Art Gallery, Orsett Road, Grays, Essex RM17 5DX
Queer Asia Symposium
Fri-Sat 16-17 June, 10am-6pm
SOAS, University of London, London WC1H 0XG
Queer Asia Film Festival
Sun 18 June 9am-8pm
SOAS, University of London, London WC1H 0XG
SOAS Summer Music School
19 June – 24 July
SOAS, University of London, London WC1H 0XG
Britindia Day
Sat 24 June 10.30am-5pm
Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre, SOAS, University of London, London WC1H 0XG
OUTrageous Tales
Sat 24 June 2pm-5pm
Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre, SOAS, University of London, London WC1H 0XG
Chinese Labour Corps at Dragon Boat Festival
Sun 25 June 10am-6pm
London Regatta Centre, Dockside Road, London E16 2QT
Lantern Evening book launch
Thu 29 June 6-8pm
Word on the Water, The London Bookbarge, (moored at York Way, Granary Square, nr. Kings Cross station)
Pink Singers + Rainbow Singers
Sat 8 July
London Pride – Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DX
Music Delta
Sun 9 July 4.30pm-7.30pm
Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre, SOAS, University of London, London WC1H 0XG
CrossDrifts festival roundup is a splendid and memorable range of musical ecleticism, accompanied with delicious Nepalese cuisine. Below is what’s on offer.
Namlo (Nepalese fusion band)
Sun 9 July 4.30pm
Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre, SOAS, University of London, London WC1H 0XG
Segara Madu (Balinese gendér wayang)
Sun 9 July 5.45pm
Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre, SOAS, University of London, London WC1H 0XG
Ardhanarishvara (Premiere of Nick Gray’s new chamber work)
Sun 9 July 6.30pm
Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre, SOAS, University of London, London WC1H 0XG
IZBA Russian Music Club
Sun 9 July 7.00pm
Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre, SOAS, University of London, London WC1H 0XG
Pink Singers + Rainbow Singers
Sat 15 July 7pm
From Queer To Eternity – Cadogan Hall, 5 Sloane Terrace, London SW1X 9DQ
Anglo Asiatic Arts & Heritage Alliance 