Love Camden

🌶️🧡 Celebrate South Asian Heritage Month through FLAVOUR 🧡🌶️

We’re so excited to dive into the incredible stories, flavours and heritage behind South Asian food culture - and where better than a stone’s throw away from flavour central… Drummond Street! 🥘🧡

Join us for South Asian Flavours — a delicious journey exploring the rich culinary traditions of British South Asian communities, the stories behind iconic local restaurants, and the cultural heritage that has shaped Camden’s food scene. 🌍🍛

Hosted by Dr Alia Amir, this special afternoon will explore how recipes, restaurants and communities have created a lasting legacy of flavour, connection and belonging.

💬 Expect fascinating stories, inspiring conversations and a celebration of the people and places behind the food we love.

Dr Alia will be joined by Dina Begum (author of Made in Bangladesh) and Saliha Khan (founder of condiment brand Third Culture Kat)

And after the talk… it’s time to taste! 😋🍽️
Find out more & book via link in bio or lovecamden.org/south-asian-heritage-month

📅 Saturday 25 July 2026,1.30pm–4pm
📍 Camden People’s Theatre
🎟️ Pay what you can

💚 What a powerful way to close our Windrush 2026 programme and commemorate Windrush Day.

Last night we were honoured to welcome Marcus Ryder as keynote speaker for our Annual Pitt Lecture — an inspiring evening exploring the history of Carnival, its deep connections to Camden, as well as an unflinching exploration of the language around inclusion, representation and diversity.

Marcus also shared his deep personal connection to Camden - from revising at Swiss Cottage Library and having a life-altering experience of art in our Swiss Cottage Gallery (still open and thriving!) to teaching at the Winnie Mandela Saturday School - Camden has been central to Marcus’s life and to his journey of understanding identity, culture and resistance.

It felt incredibly special to be gathered at Camden Town Hall, the very place where Camden’s first Caribbean Carnival took place in 1959, in the room named in honour of its organiser, Claudia Jones. 🌺

Marcus reminded us:

“Carnival did not ask permission to exist. It transformed the streets themselves. It reshaped public space, public culture and public imagination. For one weekend every year, Black music, Black history, Black creativity and Black joy become impossible to ignore.

And that is why Carnival matters so much.”

Carnival is so much more than a celebration. It is a story of resistance, resilience and community - of people creating spaces to celebrate culture, identity and belonging. ✊🏾

Following the keynote, Marcus was joined by writer, cultural commentator and founder of , Shelley Paterson, and Cllr Sabrina Francis, Camden’s Cabinet Member for Jobs, Young People and Culture, for a thoughtful and heartfelt conversation.

Huge thank you to Marcus, Shelley and Cllr Francis for helping us bring Windrush 2026 to such a meaningful close. 💚 And to everyone who bought a ticket and helped us raise over £280 for the ’s Windrush Justice Clinic.

💚 📸Camden's Homecoming 2026: An unforgettable celebration of our Windrush Generation.

THANK YOU! ❤️💛💚To every performer, artist, DJ, stall-holder, workshop leader, volunteer, community partner, food vendor and everyone who came along to celebrate.

We opened the day with a special moment as the and Councillor Sabrina Francis unveiled Kentish Town artist Matt Small’s incredible Windrush mural on the side of Talacre Sports Centre - a powerful piece of storytelling created with and inspired by the community. 🎨❤️

From the moment the celebration began, the atmosphere was joyous. Generations came together, old friends reunited, families danced and memories were made.

A huge highlight was our host leading Camden’s biggest ever Candy Dance — bringing everyone together for a moment of pure joy, energy and celebration. 💃🏾✨

The stage was packed with incredible talent — from the high-energy moves of SWEATERGY®, to Itch Radio’s Youth DJ Showcase with Michaela Kay and Baby Cey, giving the next generation of DJs and broadcasters a platform to shine through performances, interviews and storytelling.

We loved seeing DJ Boosie from The Apex Project back with us again, continuing to grow his fantastic skills - alongside unforgettable performances from Wookie, Tomorrow’s Warriors’ Nu Establishment, Paulette Tajah and DJ Matt White.

With carnival creativity, workshops, sports, food, community stalls and so many smiling faces across the park - it was a true celebration of Camden’s culture and community spirit.

The Windrush generation helped shape the Camden we know and love today. This was our chance to honour their legacy and celebrate the people, stories and culture that continue to inspire us ❤️💛💚

📸

Featuring:
.kayy @

❤️💛💚Happy Windrush Day, Camden. Our hearts are full today.💚💛❤️

After an incredible Homecoming celebration this weekend, seeing generations come together to share stories, memories, music and joy, we're reflecting on the immense contribution of the Windrush generation to our borough. 🏡❤️

The Windrush generation helped shape Camden into the vibrant, diverse and welcoming community we know and love today. Their resilience, leadership and culture continue to inspire us all.

🎙️ This Windrush Day, we're spotlighting our Windrush Tales podcast series, which captures the stories, experiences and legacies of Windrush elders, descendants, community leaders and changemakers from across Camden.

Featuring:
- Beryl Joseph – Camden resident and Windrush elder
- Walter Osbourne – Camden resident and Windrush elder
- Darla-Jane Gilroy – daughter of Beryl Gilroy, Camden's first Black headteacher
- Angela Beale – daughter of Jerry Williams, Camden's first Black Mayor

🎧 Listen to Windrush Tales via the link in our bio, lovecamden.org/windrush or search 'Camden's Windrush Tales' on Spotify

And as we continue today's celebrations with the SOLD OUT Annual Pitt Lecture this evening, we're reminded that Windrush is not only about history - it's about community, belonging, family and the future we build together.

📢 Full line-up for

Annaliese Dayes
Sophia Williams
ITCH RADIO
MichaelaKay☆

The Apex Project
DJ BOOSIE 🌋🎧
WOOKIE
Tomorrow's Warriors
Paulette Tajah